Use your social media to make a big impact. Share stories, raise awareness, and start crowdfunding to help those affected by disasters, including pets. See how you can play a crucial role in bringing life-saving aid to those in need.
Social media is indeed a powerful tool, especially during natural disasters that impact our country.
Donating to relief efforts is a crucial way to assist those affected, but what comes next? Should you stop there? Absolutely not. You can continue to make an impact in various ways.
Leverage online activism by using social media and other digital platforms to raise awareness, motivate others to get involved, and support organizations dedicated to providing relief.
From sharing stories and resources on social media to launching a crowdfunding campaign, you have many opportunities to use your online presence to drive change.
READ ALSO: Call For Support: Donation Drives To Help Those Affected By Typhoon Carina
Use hashtags
Promote hashtags related to the disaster to help people find information and show their support easily.
For Typhoon Carina, use the hashtag #CarinaPH to gather and share important details, locate donation drives, and back ongoing relief efforts.
By engaging with the hashtag, you boost the message and encourage support from people across various platforms and areas.
Engage with influencers
Use the power of social media influencers to boost your online activism.
Reach out to them and ask them to share your message or contribute to a relief fund to connect with a larger, more engaged audience.
For example, create a QR code that directs people to a donation page and request influencers to share it on their social media accounts. You can also ask them to promote a QR code for the donation drive you’re supporting.
Doing this will not only increase your message’s visibility but also raise the chances of getting donations and support for those affected by the typhoon.
Crowdfunding
Start crowdfunding campaigns to raise money for disaster relief. Launching your own campaign is an effective way to help those in need.
Online campaigns can reach many people. Use your personal network to collect funds for relief efforts.
Ask your village community, friends, and family to donate to your campaign. Put the donations to work by supporting relief efforts for those affected, even if they’re not in your immediate area.
By involving your personal network, you can make a real difference for those in need.
Protect Pets and Wildlife During and After Disasters
While helping people is crucial, don’t forget about the animals affected by disasters. Donate to groups that rescue and care for pets and wildlife, or volunteer with local shelters to support displaced animals.
Use your online presence to raise awareness about organizations that protect animals during and after disasters. Share information about groups that offer shelter for animals or work to conserve wildlife habitats.
What to Avoid on Social Media
Stop romanticizing “resilience”
Whenever disaster hits the Philippines, we often hear about how resilient Filipinos are. While resilience is meant to be a compliment, overdoing it can be harmful.
Romanticizing resilience can normalize suffering and overlook the real struggles of disaster victims. It suggests that the victims should handle their recovery on their own, ignoring the support role of governments and communities.
Celebrating resilience too much can create a culture where those who don’t recover quickly are seen as weak or flawed. This stigma can further marginalize and isolate survivors who are having a tough time rebuilding their lives.
Avoid Insensitive Comments
Steer clear of comments like “Cuddle weather,” “So cozy,” or jokes about the typhoon. These remarks can be deeply hurtful to people who have lost their homes, jobs, or loved ones.
In times of crisis, it’s essential to choose our words carefully and think about how they might affect others.
Insensitive comments often reflect a troubling tendency to downplay the suffering of those affected by disasters, suggesting their pain isn’t serious or that it could have been worse.
Minimizing their suffering is both dehumanizing and disrespectful to those whose lives have been devastated.
Every Act of Kindness Counts
You don’t have to be a hero to make a difference. Every act of kindness and compassion is a valuable contribution in the face of disaster.
By supporting those affected, helping spread awareness, or even simply offering a word of encouragement, you are making a positive impact.
Resilience is something to be admired, but it’s not something we should romanticize. Instead, let’s work towards building communities that are proactive and compassionate in the face of disaster.
Banner photo by Erik Witsoe via Unsplash.
