Social Networking ties to the Haiti Crisis
by Ivy Wilson, Project Manager

Social networking has proven to play an increasing role in disaster relief. The real time connection of Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets has allowed mainstream news to cover the story using a perspective that expands outside of what is typically provided by traditional news journalist. As residents of Haiti post pictures on blogs, facebook, and twitter other countries are able see the devastation from the perspective of those living in it.

For a country with poor infrastructure this ability to communicate has literally been a life saver.In a country with limited infrastructure and additional disaster brought on by the earthquake, family members have been able to find and communicate with loved ones using social networking. There is a Facebook group titled Earthquake Haiti that allows people from all different countries who speak different languages to post messages about missing family and friends. They are also able to post messages when friends and family have been located. People are sharing information about the well being of strangers such as this post that states, “I found out that a lady named Loren Vorvil from PAP is safe! I hope this is not a common name because I don't have much more information and I don't want to get the wrong person' Hopefully this helps someone. She is safe in Port Au Prince."

Social Networking has also provided organizations inexpensive fundraising methods. Wyclef Jean the popular Haitian born singer sponsors an organization called Yele Haiti. Yele has been a trending topic on Twitter since the earthquake and has allowed people to spread the word or retweet about their initiate encouraging people to make donations by texting the word “yele” to 501501 and a $5 donation will be added to your next phone bill. In two days, the organization has raised over $400,000 utilizing an virtually cost free,  grass roots, word of mouth marketing campaign.

Here is one story with local ties.



(image courtesy of mollyinhaiti.blogspot.com)
Molly Hightower is from Port Orchard, WA, a graduate of Bellarmine Prep HS in Tacoma and the University of Portland. She is spending the year as a volunteer for Friends of Orphans in Haiti. At this time, she is unaccounted for.

[Editor's Note: Shortly after this blog entry was posted, Molly's body was found in the rubble of the orphanage. In her memory, people have been collecting and donating shoes to those in need in Haiti. Learn more about this effort here.]