#RescuePH, Social Media to rescue in Philippines

Social Media are proving, one more time, to be an effective and on time channel to coordinate the rescue efforts when a disaster strikes. After typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, citizens are using the hashtag #RescuePH in Twitter, the RescuePH Facebook page, the Google finder person and also the crowdmap that allow people to send a text message to locate people who need help, among other resources.

RescuePH, started in 2012, encourages Filipino netizens to tweet out calls for help. Users can fill out a form on the project's site, which populates an interactive map of people in need. 

Since #RescuePH has been used massively, Twitter Philippines has requested not to use the hashtag unless you need help.

It is also possible to send a text message asking for help

To use the Google person finder

And to upload a picture to Twitter with the image of a missing person you are seeking.

How to cooperate

To cooperate with the Standby Volunteer Task Force (SBTF) to help the Digital Humantarian Network (DHN) tagging tweets in response to Typhoon Haiyan, is also a possibility, as Patrick Meier explains here, here, and here.

Philippine Red Cross has also facilitate means to donate sending a the text message using its twitter profile @Philredcross

So once more, social media is providing an effective channel to help in a disaster. Do you have any other examples to add?