Facebook has evolved through the years to the point that it now assists aid organisations and NGOs in helping communities affected by disasters. Now the social media giant is utilising a tool called Disaster Maps to assist organisations to improve how communities are helped after disasters.
One might ask how this is possible, Facebook to most people is merely a social media platform to share statuses, images and moods. It started when Facebook started implementing Safety Check, a feature that Facebook can turn on for users in close proximity to a location that is currently undergoing a disaster of some form. Users can then “check-in” if they are safe or have a friend check-in for them.
Disaster Maps is a resource that uses “aggregated, de-identified” Facebook data to provide key information organisations said would be most helpful in improving how they respond and provide relief in the immediate hours after a crisis. Currently, Facebook is working with three such organisations: UNICEF, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the World Food Programme.
https://www.facebook.com/facebook/videos/10155889045356729/
Currently, there are three types of Disaster Maps available. The first is a location-density map that shows where people are physically located before, during, and after a crisis, and are compared to historical records (like population estimates). The second is a movement map which highlights patterns of movement over a period of hours so organisations can better predict where to direct resources. Lastly, Safety Check maps display where people check in safely following a disaster, showing where help may be needed.
“We believe that our platform is a valuable source of information that can help response organisations serve people more efficiently and effectively. Ultimately, we hope this data helps communities have the information they need to recover and rebuild if disaster strikes.”
– Molly Jackman, Public Policy Research Manager at Facebook.
Source: Facebook Blog
