The coordination effort that has emerged to help the victims of the tornadoes is very impressive. Not only because they were probably there before FEMA, but the degree and depth of aid that is being coordinated. Here are a couple of sample posts that flood my news feed by the hour.
"Pass the word: a group from Troy will be feeding ANYONE and EVERYONE who needs it Sunday at the Lake Martin Baptist Church. If you know of surrounding areas in need, please pass the word. If we can, we will bring the food to those who can't get to us. Message me contacts or tell us where we are needed."
ESPN took notice of the group and reported on how this group had boots on the ground 24 hours after the storms.
The group not only posts what they are doing, but asks for requests for help and notifies people of what is needed and where the need is greatest. They posted to victims where FEMA would be providing generators and how people can contact the Red Cross. They have posted locations of where and how people can make donations or volunteer to help. The group has been reaching out to the local business community and they are responding as well.
"D and A Automotive from Montgomery, AL (drop off location) has their first truck loaded and ready to leave in a couple of hours. I called the CVS here on Zelda Road and spoke to the manager, Brooke. I told them I was coming with 100.00 to buy hygiene products and asked her if she could match it. She was pleased to do so. I just returned to work with my money's worth.. and almost $300.00 donated by CVS!" Piggly Wiggly and other business have contributed as well.
Aid is coming not just for the people, but for their pets. Auburn Vet School is holding a drive on May 14 to collect supplies for pets and livestock in the hard-hit areas of northern Alabama. The social network group is reaching beyond the borders of Alabama for help. In my home state of South Carolina they coordinated two drop offs in Charleston to take items to victims. They have reached out to Georgia and D.C.
Valuable information is being provided to people through this network in the form of public announcements such as how they can pay their bills using their cell phones. Where FEMA provides only the basic needs this group is working to provide for the more personal losses. A group of women organized a prom with donated dresses, and while that might seem trivial I am sure there are many high school students who are very appreciative that they will not miss out on this experience.
The group posted a letter to Alabama Governor Robert Bentley explaining how they created a supply chain network and that they are surprised by their impact. More importantly, they thanked the governor for minimizing the red tape.
The lesson here is that private aid can access and provide need to victims by having the knowledge of community and spontaneously emerge to coordinate efforts not just for their local community, but for the all the victims across the state. Few people could have predicted the way that social networking could coordinate such efforts. We should not underestimate how communities can and will pull together in times of crisis instead of relying on government aid.
Posts
