On January 12, 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. As around-the-clock news coverage depicts heart-wrenching images and describes unimaginable conditions, organizations, businesses and individuals around the world are utilizing technology to help those impacted by the earthquake. Time and time again, the Internet and wireless technology are proving to be an integral component in times of crisis.
Social Media in Disasters
When disaster strikes, communication is often interrupted. In order to get assistance and aid into a disaster area in a safe and timely manner, an open line of communication is critical in a crisis. Until recently, the ability to share reliable information both in and out of the affected area in a timely fashion, has been difficult at best.
But as other disasters and world events occur, technology and social media are being utilized more frequently in the relief effort. Friends and loved ones of victims frantically searching for information are now using wireless technology and social networking like Twitter, Facebook, Skype, Flickr and YouTube for information and assistance. Mainstream news organizations are also utilizing social networking for news and information. But sending and receiving news and information is not the only way technology is being used in disasters.
Fundraising Efforts Using Social Media
As the tragedy in Haiti continues to unfold, millions of dollars have been raised in a variety of ways. Social networking and wireless technology have given consumers another avenue to help victims. Text messaging campaigns are making it easy for people to financially contribute to the relief effort.
The social networking sites have played a pivotal role in raising millions of dollars. Thousands of tweets, retweets and TwitPics were shared and viewed as the disaster unfolded. Videos were uploaded and shared and celebrities tweeted and spread the word. Within hours of the disaster, mass mobilization was well underway.
Mobile Donations for Haiti
Text HAITI to 90999 – This mobile fundraising initiative, supported by the United States State Department, is a joint effort between the American Red Cross, Mobile Accord and the mGive Foundation. Customers of participating wireless carriers including AT&T, U.S. Cellular, Sprint and T-Mobile, can make a donation to the Red Cross by sending a simple text message.
Customers can send a $10 donation to the relief effort by simply texting “HAITI” to 90999 on their mobile device. Once a donation is sent via text message, a confirmation message is sent to the user for verification. The donation, which takes just seconds, will appear on the customer’s bill or debited from prepaid accounts. 100 percent of the donations will go to the Red Cross effort. Currently, over $10 million dollars has been donated to the Red Cross by using mobile donations. Receipts can be printed from the mGive website.
People can also donate $5 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by texting "GIVE&" to 2HELP. The Fund provides a variety of help to victims including food, shelter and counseling.
Social networking provides a valuable platform for distributing news and information and provides another avenue for raising money for victims of disaster. For more ways to help, please visit Christine Taylor's Hope for Haiti Telethon article.
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway - +JaceShoemaker-Galloway is more than passionate about online safety awareness. She has devoted and dedicated over five years to Internet ...
Join the Conversation