Michaela Hackner

Michela Hackner

USA

The images and stories coming out of Haiti are disturbing, upsetting, and unbelievably heartbreaking. We’ve all been following closely, trying to lend a hand when needed, and keeping an eye out for the signs of hope among the rubble, literally.

There is at least one good news story emerging around the world about this devastating crisis: technology is changing the playing field.Sure, technology isn’t necessarily air-dropping supplies and ferrying in doctors, but it’s raising millions of dollars, helping the right people connect where they’re needed, and making all of us distinctly aware that something horrible is happening and needs our attention. It’s also helping all of us who feel helpless, nestled in our homes in the developed world, contribute to the cause and see immediate impact.

Organizations are using social media to raise more money faster than ever before. Mapping systems are helping pinpoint areas that are hardest hit and mobilize aid. Programmers and web geeks are burning the midnight oil in large gatherings, hacking iPhone apps that translate Creole to English and help people share their coordinates with rescuers. Micro-volunteerism is allowing all of us to “tag” photos of people and help identify missing persons. Wikis, social networks, and Twitter feeds are letting stakeholders and actors talk virtually to coordinate their response.

On the most basic level, we’re able to connect with our friends and colleagues, hear of their involvement, and lend our own support – be it encouraging words, through a donation, or helping identify people with the skills necessary to help out on the ground.These are just a few examples that raise my spirits and give me hope. Social media has made that all possible, and just a few years ago, none of this was happening.

Over the course of the next few weeks I’m planning to dig deeper into several of these successes and discuss them on my blog. I’m already overwhelmed at the number of efforts out there – too many to count, too many to note – which in itself is some really good news just a week after the earthquake struck. I’m going to rely on social media itself to aid me in my research, and I welcome any suggestions. What impact have you seen via social media, what gives you hope?

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Michela Hackner is a Senior Project Officer at ForumOne. She has visited and taken pictures on every continent except Antarctica.