Using Social Media to help in a tragedy

There have been several natural disasters in the past few years, and studies are starting to point to the fact that these disasters are starting to occur more and more often as we move through this decade.

The American Red Cross uses Twitter for a program called “Safe and Well” where people affected by a disaster can list themselves as safe and well, and then their families know they’re ok and they don’t have to tax the already burdened cell lines to find out what’s going on with their family. In addition, this information is also “tweeted” out to those following the account. I’m hoping to have an interview with Ike Piggot, the communications director for the American Red Cross that was in charge of implementing their Social Media campaign this month.

Within the past month Asia has experienced grave tragedies including the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that hit southwest China claiming 34,073 lives and injuring 245,209 more, and the Myanmar cyclone that counts its current death toll at 78,000 and an estimated 56,000 still missing. As the long term effect of this disaster takes its toll on Asia’s economy with some estimates reaching over $20 billion in damages, these regions and its people are in desperate need of the world’s help.

SocialVibe, a site designed to enable interaction between people, the brands they love and the causes they are passionate about has established a cause called Disaster Relief that will enable SocialVibe to quickly mobilize fundraising efforts when a global or regional disaster strikes.

Disaster Relief launched yesterday on the SocialVibe homepage and as the featured cause of the site. SocialVibe “Points ” earned by selecting Disaster Relief will be allocated to charities within SocialVibe making a difference for Asia. This month, Direct Relief, which provides medical assistance to improve the quality of life for people victimized by poverty, disaster, and civil unrest throughout the world, and charity: water, a non-profit bringing clean and safe drinking water into impoverished communities, will benefit and split the proceeds 50/50.

SocialVibe has bween in public beta since February 2008, and has grown 300% per month with thousands of new members joining daily. Since the public beta kick-off, SocialVibe has already donated more than $30,000 to more than 14 charities.

(image source: Newscom)