As traditional forms of communication such as mobile phone networks and landline telephones have failed in Haiti, social networking and the internet has highlighted the lifeline that these sources can provide for humanitarian disasters. With websites being used for both fund raising efforts and as a means of support and communication between both Haitians and aiding nations, social networks have been at the centre of providing extremely important information for many.
Whilst CNN, The Red Cross and the New York Times have already started to compile missing persons lists, it has been Facebook which has provided the largest following, with 160,000 users. Meanwhile, Skype has been used by Haiti based journalist Pierre Cote in an attempt to provide news reports to many stations around the world. “If I’m not doing it, no one will do it – the traditional media won’t do it. The community need it so for me it’s a service to the community to bring it all together,” he explained.
Meanwhile, as Twitter continues to raise awareness and provide aid support links to millions across the globe, Ushahidi has provided up to the date information support. Operating on a free, open-source platform, the service rafts detailed compilations of data over geographical regions, allowing aid workers amongst others to access data such as aftershock tremor locations, where aid needs to be supplied, and where water shortages are occurring.
As the support and clean up after the earthquake continues, it is likely that social media will remain at the centre of awareness, not only in providing data on specific regions but to keep the public informed long after the news reports have ceased.
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For your information, Pierre Cote is not based in Haiti, but in Montreal