Social networking users show mass support in the wake of the Haitian earthquakes
On the twelfth of January, a huge earthquake devastated the Caribbean island of Haiti, with the capital city of Port-Au-Prince particularly affected. With sparse communication and an infrastructure that has struggled to deal with a catastrophe of this proportion, the immediate aftermath of the situation has so far been grim for Haitians.
Social networking websites have played a huge and effective part in raising necessary global awareness and, of course donations, needed to address this problem.
World renowned musical artist and indigenous Haitian, Wyclef Jean, has been particularly prolific in raising awareness of the situation on Twitter, and with his Yele organisation has managed to raise significant donations through SMS text messages. At the same time, the American Red Cross has raised more than $3,000,000 through a text message campaign.
In addition to donations (details to help with donations yourself at the bottom of this blog), users have been wearing and promoting a few different Twibbons on Facebook and Twitter to show solidarity in the face of a great national and global tragedy. The most popular Twibbon is a simple representation of the Haitian flag, and has been worn by the likes of Russell Simmons (@uncleRUSH) and Sean Kingston (@seankingston), while there are two variations of Twibbon asking social networking users to “Pray for Haiti”.
More than 15,000 users have worn the popular Haiti Twibbon.
Estimates vary, but the American Red Cross report that more than 40,000 people may have died so far from this disaster and that a staggering 3 million more may be injured or homeless.
To help, please consider these two donation options through Google or Oxfam.
Thanks,
The Twibbon Team
