On February 27th, 2010, a devastating earthquake struck Chile. The 8.8 magnitude earthquake was one of the largest ever recorded. With hundreds confirmed dead and more than one million people displaced, the full extent of the massive earthquake is still unfolding. As was evident with the Haitian disaster, millions of people are using the Internet for up-to-the-minute news, information and ways to help those affected by the massive quakes.
Social Media and Disaster Relief Efforts
The Internet and social media communities including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, played a significant role in the earthquake relief effort in Haiti. The social networking websites provided first-hand accounts of breaking news and haunting images. And because telephone service is often unavailable after a disaster strikes, social media provides a valuable resource for victims and loved ones to directly communicate with each other.
Within hours of Haiti’s 7.0 magnitude quake, a special text number was created for a $10 text message donation initiative. Celebrities tweeted and retweeted and the initiative spread like wildfire. In fact, the American Red Cross received millions in donations directly from text messages.
Similar to the response in Haiti, the online community quickly mobilized to assist in the Chilean recovery efforts as well. Former American Idol contestant Eilliot Yamin was in Chile when the earthquake struck. Yamin kept his fans and Twitter followers updated by tweeting about his harrowing experience. Facebook has also set up a page for the Chile earthquake.
Although the American Red Cross has pledged $50,000 for immediate response action if needed, the Red Cross has not yet activated a mobile fundraising campaign for the Chile relief effort.
Google’s Crisis Response Page
Search engine giant Google, is also supporting the relief effort by creating a Crisis Response page. An easy-to-find disaster relief link is located on Google’s main page. By clicking on the link, users will receive information, tools and links from one handy location.
The Google page includes maps of the affected area, up-to-date news and information, a donation section, Person Finder and an area to submit YouTube video responses. A helpful link to the US State Department is also included on the Google page. Visitors can also help Google improve the Chile maps by using its Map Maker download. Users can also donate to UNICEF or to the Direct Relief International directly from Google’s page.
Google’s Person Finder
In order to help people around the world locate friends and loved ones affected by the earthquake, Google launched its Person Finder application. The application, available in both English and Spanish, allows users to search for someone or add information about someone. If you are searching for someone, simply enter the person’s name in the box and click the search button. If no information is available, you can create a new record for that person. If you have information about someone, enter the person’s given and family name and follow the prompts. Person Finder can also be embedded in users’ websites.
As the death toll continues to rise and aftershocks continue to shake Chile, millions of people around the globe continue to turn to Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Google for news, information and ways to help. For more information on the Haiti earthquake efforts, please visit Texting and Twitter Campaigns Helping Haiti.
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway - +JaceShoemaker-Galloway is more than passionate about online safety awareness. She has devoted and dedicated over five years to Internet ...
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