DisasterNeedFinder: Understanding the Information Needs in the 2024 Noto Earthquake (Comprehensive Explanation)

We propose and demonstrate the DisasterNeedFinder framework in order to provide appropriate information support for the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. In the event of a large-scale disaster, it is essential to accurately capture the ever-changing information needs. However, it is difficult to obtain appropriate information from the chaotic situation on the ground. Therefore, as a data-driven approach, we aim to pick up precise information needs at the site by integrally analyzing the location information of disaster victims and search information. It is difficult to make a clear estimation of information needs by just analyzing search history information in disaster areas, due to the large amount of noise and the small number of users. Therefore, the idea of assuming that the magnitude of information needs is not the volume of searches, but the degree of abnormalities in searches, enables an appropriate understanding of the information needs of the disaster victims. DNF has been continuously clarifying the information needs of disaster areas since the disaster strike, and has been recognized as a new approach to support disaster areas by being featured in the major Japanese media on several occasions.