January 15, 2010
When large-scale disasters strike, it is human nature to want to aid and assist the victims. The recent devastating earthquake in Haiti is no exception, and the widespread use and application of social technology is altering and facilitating the modes through which disaster relief and assistance is provided. Technological advancements are significantly impacting the relief efforts in Haiti. Satellite phones and Google Maps imagery are just some of the technologies being used to coordinate recovery efforts and identify the most severely devastated areas. The new social technology is not solely being used by response workers, but also by the average citizen to coordinate relief efforts. Social media sites, such as Twitter, quickly transmitted news of the catastrophic event to a vast audience, and as time progressed, raised awareness of the various relief efforts that existed. Online donations through an organization’s website or Facebook page are being used to raise funds, while text message campaigns are being utilized like never before. The ease of making a monetary donation by simply texting a number has provided astounding results. The American Red Cross reports receiving over $5 million through its text-to-give campaign, and other organizations such as Wyclef Jean’s Yele and the Clinton Foundation are accepting mobile donations. Grassroots campaigns were being organized on Twitter to arrange events to collect goods and raise funds to send to Haiti. Through hashtags such #HelpHaitiNYC (and other cities), individuals were given lists of needed donation items, drop off locations, and shipping information, as well as information about locally-organized fundraisers. Micro-volunteering sites such as “The Extraordinaries” have given people the opportunity to use the web or their iPhone to upload pictures of missing loved ones, tag and sort disaster photos, and crowdsource facial recognition to identify missing people. The social media sites are not only being utilized as a mode to donate, but also as a forum to discuss where to donate, as individuals are asking questions about giving, avoiding scams, organizing events, and receiving charity recommendations. These examples of e-citizenship are hopeful not only for what they mean to relief and response in Haiti, but also for the civic life of the United States. In America’s Civic Health Index this year, NCoC found the emergence of these technologies have been particularly helpful in creating opportunities for individuals, especially young people, to be engaged. As we highlighted in the study, utilizing online tools for civic engagement removes barriers to participation, allows for self-organization, and facilitates efficiency. Therefore, the social media networks reach a wide audience and allow for a greater number of people to respond in times of need.