“How Web 2.0 tools help victims of Hatian quake”

Ali Manouchehri (CEO, MetroStar Systems) and Sean McDonald (Director of New Media Business Development) were recently interviewed by Chris Dorobek and Amy Morrison of Federal News Radio’s “The Daily Debrief” (airs Monday – Friday 3-7pm).  They were talking about MetroStar Systems’ current effort to support to our clients who have an operational presence in Haiti helping and providing aid after the recent earthquake that has caused a major humanitarian emergency.  MetroStar Systems is offering pro bono services by monitoring, sorting and filtering information and communications coming in via social media networks and tools (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, blogs) about the Haiti earthquake and the people who need aid in order to provide useful and actionable information to the proper authorities.

Source: www.FederalNewsRadio.com

You can read the web article “How Web 2.0 tools help victims of Hatian quake” and listen to an MP3 of the interview to learn more about these efforts.

How can you help?  A great benefit of technology and social media tools is that it makes it easier for us to help those in need. Here are some resources, links and information on how you can assist earthquake victims:

The following organizations are accepting SMS donations (U.S. only):

• SMS text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts
• SMS text “YELE” to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts
• SMS text “GIVE10″ to 20222 to donate $10 to Direct Relief

For more information and ways to donate, you can visit the websites of these organizations that are providing support and aid to the earthquake victims and international relief efforts:

• American Red Cross
• UNICEF USA
• Yele Haiti
• Doctors Without Borders
• Direct Relief International
• Ushahidi

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and all of those who are helping with this humanitarian emergency.