Tents set up after the Earthquake in Haiti's capital (Source: United Nations)
The earthquake that brought devastation to Haiti this week has left thousands of people needing water, food, clothing, shelter and medical supplies, all vital for those that have survived. NGOs have been working hard to provide support and supplies to those affected and a lot of people throughout the world want to help. The American Red Cross is one NGO that has already received $3 million, through text message donations by appealing for $10 donations from the public and Ushahidi, which was created in Africa by Africans has utilised a crowdsourcing platform to gather information and report about the disaster in real time.
On the Ushahidi website, visitors can submit reports about their knowledge or experience of the disaster and updates are also available via Twitter, You Tube and Flickr. Live updates are also provided via their Google map. Ushahidi also highlights whether a source of information has been validated or not, which poignantly reminds us that despite the benefits of access to information, the need for information that is valid and reliable is still of high importance. For instance, today Twitter debunked a rumour, which falsely claimed that Jet Blue and American Airlines were flying doctors and nurses to Haiti for free to help those affected by the Earthquake. Some authorities have also warned the public about donating to false nonprofits that have been set up to swindle those who give to them.
We hope that all the victims and their families get the help that they so urgently require and that technology can help them to get that help faster. GuideStar (US) is helping people to find information online about US nonprofits working in Haiti that they would like to give too. They have also provided some tips for giving wisely to nonprofits as donations roll in.
