Countries in Asia show just how useful social media can be.

The power of Twitter was once again proven over the weekend when flood victims in Asia maintained contact with one another using the service.  In Manila, Philippines when flood waters reached catastrophic levels, electricity had to be shut down in many cities.  Many communication channels such as mobile phone systems and landlines were fried with water submerging their power sources so people had to rely on the internet, using Twitter and Facebook to stay connected.  People disseminated information using these networks informing people where the badly flooded areas are, what villages have people who need rescuing and other information needed to be spread so that people know what’s going on.  Even before the typhoon left the Philippines,relief operations were already underway because people were able to mobilize them quickly with the use of social media. Even before victims started asking for help people were already preparing food, medicines and clothes to give to the victims.  While relief operations are very common after disasters, this is the first time people were able to mobilize quickly. People were also able to coordinate rescue efforts with the use of Twitter, Facebook and other social media.  The attention of celebrities and people outside Asia were also called to the calamity which helped in raising funds and donations for the relief efforts.

In the last few years, there have been so many stories about individuals and companies harnessing the power of social media for profit or for social good. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone because social media are communication channels that reach many people.  It is possible for any type of company to use social media to their benefit.  The company just has to define its needs and think of how social media can fill those needs.  Imagine social media as tools you can benefit from as long as you use them right.  Think of how your business can benefit from enhanced communication and use social media to meet these requirements. The people’s use of social media in times of calamity just shows how social media can be a very powerful tool.

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