Facebook plans to add a feature on Wednesday to make it easier for people affected by disasters to find each other locally to provide and receive help.
The world's largest social network said its "Community Help" will activate after natural disasters and major accidents as a part of "Safety Check," a related feature that allows Facebook users to assure others that they are safe.
The company's designers envisioned a virtual classified advertising section where people near each other can offer shelter after a forest fire, seek food in the wake of an earthquake and meet other immediate needs in an organized way.
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The new feature comes with a few safety guidelines, such as a warning to users that if they meet strangers to arrange disaster help, they should do so in a public place, officials said.