Haiti relief: connecting through social media

By Kyla — January 16, 2010 | 0 comments

TORONTO – Just 72 hours after the Earthquake hit Haiti, the country’s Interior Minister released new estimates that the death toll from the disaster could reach 200,000. Despite the widespread devastation and chaos, efforts remain focused on rescuing victims trapped under collapsed buildings and coordinating and distributing relief. While humanitarian action on the ground is expanding, so too are efforts by Canadians and other nationals to find information about missing relatives and friends affected by the disaster.

Social media tools such as Twitter, Facebook and Google applications are being utilized in unprecedented ways, not only to share information on the situation in Haiti, but also to assist in rescuing and reconnecting victims with loved ones.

One woman in Montreal was able to aid in the rescue of a man trapped under the rubble of his house after seeing a Facebook status from victim’s neighbour in Haiti alerting people to the situation and providing the man’s name and location. The Montrealer immediately got in contact with the Red Cross, CBC and CNN, and it was later confirmed by the Red Cross that the man had been rescued.

Twitter users have also been participating in grass-roots efforts to locate loved ones. One user of the social networking site posted a photo of her Grandfather who had been visiting Haiti, with the caption “Have You Seen My Grandfather” in hopes that he might be recognized by rescue workers.

On the Google Crisis Response page, the search engine has developed a “person finder” application that allows people who are searching for someone, or who have information about someone to share photos and details.

CBC has seen its Missing Person photo gallery grow from 20 pictures of missing Canadians to over 150 in 24 hours. Families and friends are asked to provide any information that may assist in the search for loved ones.

As the potential for social networking sites to mobilize crisis response is being tested, we are reminded of our interconnectedness as both global citizens and members of the online community.

Tags: Featured Kyla Reid Media Montreal Rescue Technology