Nepal Earthquake – Role of Social Media in the Disaster Management

An earthquake measuring 7.9 has hit Kathmandu & other regions in Nepal & neighboring India. Thousands have been killed in Nepal & people have taken to social media for prayers & messages. Google has setup a 2015 Nepal Earthquake Person finder & Facebook has set up a safety check feature that allows people in Nepal to inform their friends if they are safe. Ministers & officials involved in the disaster team have also been sending messages on twitter, facebook & responding to people’s messages. However, some of the brands also utilized the earthquake to shamelessly promote their brands with messages. This has been criticized by social media & brands later on apologized for the goof up.

https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/nepalearthquake/

https://google.org/personfinder/2015-nepal-earthquake/