In times of crisis, social media such as Youtube.com, Facebook.com, Linkedin.com and Twitter.com can help raise awareness, bridge communication gaps and gain support for relief efforts, such as those needed right now in disaster-ravaged Japan. There is a worldwide outpouring of support and many efforts are being made by social media to help people cope with the ongoing tragedies striking Japan in the last week.
Youtube.com
There are many videos being posted on YouTube by disaster relief organizations, people participating as onlookers and caring or concerned individuals asking that we give to charities.
In a video titled "Dispatch from Sendai," Save the Children UK (user: savethechildrenuk) has released a video about the plight of Japanese children who have been displaced by the recent events. The video says that Save the Children has sent teams to Sendai to help these children by setting up "Child Friendly Spaces" where anxiety-ridden children can spend time with other children and play while being supervised by responsible adults. The play areas also enable parents to dedicate time to finding accommodation, food sources, locating other friends and family and work.
EUXTV on YouTube, which handles European Union press releases, announced in a video titled "EU to send Search & Rescue teams to Japan: Barroso" that European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso announced early on Saturday that the "EC has activated its crisis response mechanism in order to coordinate European search & rescue teams which are being sent to Japan to deal with the aftermath of Friday's earthquake and tsunami." This also brings the European economic community together with volunteer efforts, going to Japan in teams to offer individual support.
Facebook.com
Several "Japan Relief" users have also set themselves up on Facebook asking for support - please be careful who you give your money to. There is no guarantee that the majority of funds will end up with the Japanese people, so make sure it's a reputable charity.
Voice of America on Facebook has links to their website, www.voanews.com , where they're "live blogging" as events are occurring. They are asking for input from people on location in Japan. There's also a list of agencies (and their links) that are taking donations in relief efforts such as the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and Mercy Corps.
Twitter.com
People are tweeting like crazy on Twitter asking people to donate to charities like the Red Cross via texting. As donations are taking place, those too are being tweeted with messages of thanks to those who gave, like Sandra Bullock, who has given $1 million of her own money. Thank you Ms. Bullock!
Linkedin.com
There are several fund-raising events being posted on LinkedIn by various organizations and social groups. So sign up on linkedin.com and see where you can help by participating in these events.
I also hope that these channels of social outreach help get more people involved in creating awareness and summoning support for the Japanese people.
Red Cross is asking that you donate $10 to relief funds via text message to REDCROSS at 90999. Contact the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles at http://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/ for more information.
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