Mexican software professional Israel Reyes Gomez has developed a mobile app called Solity for detecting victims trapped in disaster areas, like the country’s recent devastating earthquake.

Almost acting as a digital sniffer dog, the app uses global positioning systems (GPS) to hep rescue workers pinpoint the location of trapped persons.

Governments can also use Solity to urge people to move higher grounds in the event of a hurricane or tsunami. Similarly, people can use it to send out messages informing of their location.

Gomez has urged the Mexican government to use the app in future, saying that it could enhance government’s ability to respond quickly and successfully in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

As the application reveals the number of people trapped, authorities can mobilize resources accordingly and carry out the relief efforts far more successfully.

He said that he is improving Solity with the help of students at the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), and planning to hold talks with the federal government for its implementation in Mexico.

Israel’s career spans 17 years in crisis management, risk mitigation, network architecture and cyber-security. Before founding Solity Software, he worked with many international firms, including IBM, Hewlett-Packard and Fujitsu.

Reyes Gómez’s software has been nominated for the 2017 National Science Award, despite being creating in 2013 in New Zealand.