Using social media for disaster awareness

Most of the time during emergencies, conventional communication gadgets tend to become over-burdened and cellular networks stop working as many people attempt to use them to access information.

On the other hand, online social networking services and social media usually remains active and can be used to solve many problems during disasters.

Disasters and emergencies that have occurred in the past, such as the collapsed Huruma building, have shown how social media has become an essential communication tool during such times.

Truth is, social media is an efficient and simple approach to stay in touch and impart information during times of crisis.

It can be used to provide fast and immediate real-time information about events providing more situational awareness and prompting better decision making.

It has become a valuable means of communication in many places all over the globe that have been affected by disasters, enabling people to keep in touch and to access critical information.

Emergency service agencies should therefore adopt use of social media in managing crisis, share information about claims, preparedness tips and how-to insure for the future.

Social media can also be used to bolster the current systems of communication, thereby substantially amplifying emergency warnings to the public and increasing the ability to prepare and respond to events that threaten people and infrastructure.