Local social network MXit will be used by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for disaster management.
The organisation will specifically utilise the network in South East Asian communities, where more than 500 000 people died in natural disasters over the last decade.
MXit says WHO will also use Web-based tool JamiiX to manage multiple conversations from different social networks and instant messaging platforms.
Safe zone
The health organisation will use the social networking tools to bring emergency preparedness information to chat users in disaster-prone Indonesia.
“This new approach is part of WHO's effort to strengthen disaster preparedness in the region and build public awareness of the urgent need for safe hospitals in disaster zones,” says MXit.
It explains that Indonesians using MXit chat will be able to access information about what to do in the case of natural disasters like floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and cyclones; how to prepare an emergency kit and how to plan for possible evacuation.
The information is also teamed up with facts on safe hospitals in disaster zones and ways to, as an individual, support WHO's drive for safe health facilities.
Social support
“People living in the region can support the campaign by adding their voice and signing up on MXit to assist WHO to reach its one million supporter target,” says the social network.
It adds that people are also urged to support the campaign through a Facebook reaction tester.
“We are leveraging new communication technology in order to ease the availability, accessibility, and effectiveness of health information and services,” says Roderico Ofrin, regional adviser for WHO's emergency and humanitarian action.
“Through this campaign, we will continue to explore innovative means of bringing critical information in times of emergencies.”
CEO and founder of MXit Herman Heunis highlights the importance of efficient communication in times of crisis.
“As climate change and severe weather variations take a hold of many locations around the world, it makes sense to develop ways for communities and countries to receive life-saving information and assistance in a reliable and affordable way.“
Critical communication
“Re-establishing communications is a critical tool in disaster management to ensure timely dissemination of authoritative information to government entities and aid agencies involved in rescue and rehabilitation efforts,” says the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
In November, the ITU deployed satellites to aid disaster-stricken areas Haiti and Pakistan.
“The satellite terminals are being deployed to restore communications and provide a platform from which telemedicine applications/services will be provided in remote areas that remain difficult to access and where medical attention is a priority in the aftermath of the disaster.”
It explained that the satellite terminals, which support high-speed data, have the potential to provide the much-needed link between medical aid workers in the field and referral centres.
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