Use of social media in natural disaster #NepalQuake2015

Social media especially Facebook and Twitter are very important and useful open source tools before, during, and after the natural disaster to assess the vulnerability before the event, to map preliminary damage, locate victims and critical services especially hospitals during the event, and coordinate response and recovery activities after the disaster occurs. These tools are very useful in an area where long-term data are not available, and critical infrastructure and resources are not mapped. In general, maps and disaster-related information are based on complex methodologies such as geospatial techniques which are not easily readable for the general public because of many associated jargons. These complex information should be processed into simple language first and then communicate to the wider public to be better prepared for any disaster events. Facebook and Twitter could be a useful and efficient tool to communicate such message to the public as nowadays virtually everyone possess hand-held devices with them.

During Nepal earthquake 2015, Facebook and Twitter were widely used for many purposes: first, it was the most important tool to get updates of their beloved ones and immediate family members. Second, it was efficiently used to gather damage information from the distant villages and needy communities for the relief distribution. Third, it was best utilized to gather volunteers to coordinate response and recovery in Kathmandu and most importantly to the rural villages. Facebook groups and twitter hashtags were used to mobilize youth in different activities. Fourth, public were asked to provide, if they have any related to earthquake damages such as damage location, photos, and further information which were later processed by the team of experts to prepare situation maps assisting relief distribution and other response activities. Based on open data voluntarily contributed by the public, satellite images and GIS data, such maps were extremely useful for the government and international aid agencies to coordinate their efforts.