7 ways to use Twitter efficiently for disaster response

If you want to know if an earthquake just happened, just check Twitter. It's the first thing people do now when they feel tremors and while some might find this trend disturbing, it's actually just a way to share information. 

The hashtags #EarthquakePH, #FloodPH, #ReliefPH, #RescuePH, and #WalangPasok consolidate advisories and conversation online and they're used officially by all media organizations, relevant government agencies and volunteer organizations. 

Netizens are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these hashtags and keep them useful by contributing only relevant information when they include these in tweets.

Here are 7 ways to use Twitter effectively for disaster response. 

1. Follow media organizations, like @gmanews and @gmanewsbreaking, to get timely updates when disaster strikes. For the latest information on the weather, follow @IMReady.

2. Verify information before sharing it on Twitter or anywhere else.

3. Share news along with photos and video via @YouScoop, the citizen journalism arm of GMA News. Tag the account and use #FloodPH to report which roads are impassable. 

3.. Tell stories using a thread to get around the character limit. Simply reply to your own tweet to share more information about the situation. 

5. Tweet with a clear call-to-action. It is more effective to clearly state what is needed — for example, whether volunteers, emergency supplies or rescue support are needed. Use visuals such as photos, videos or infographics to simplify the message and hold your audience’s attention.

The DSWD National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City is need of volunteers who will help us in the repacking of relief goods for the disaster response operations this rainy season. #DSWDMayMalasakit #DSWDParaSaNakararami #KalingaAtpagmamahal pic.twitter.com/L4pW8kCSiH

— DSWD (@dswdserves) June 19, 2018

6. Mention or tag media, government agencies and relief and/or volunteer organizations  who may be able to share your Tweet and amplify your voice. For traffic accidents around Metro Manila, tag @MMDA with the location of anyone who needs assistance. For fire incidents, tag the Bureau of Fire Protection (@bfpnhq_pis).

7. Follow the official Twitter accounts of government agencies and international organizations such as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (@NDRRMC_OpCen) Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA-DOST) (@dost_pagasa), Office of Civil Defense (@CivilDefensePH), the Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (@ICRC_AsiaPac).

Maging #IAMReady, Kapuso and share information responsibly! — AT, GMA News