Technology Aids Relief Effort
January 18, 2010 by trisha
e have seen various reports and warnings about email relief scams. Just as technology can make
something as simple as donating to a relief effort complicated and risky, it can also expedite the process and raise millions of dollars in record breaking time. People across the globe have joined in the effort to raise money for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti last week. While this in itself is not surprising, the amount of money that has been raised in a short period of time is rather astounding. The American Red Cross is the nation’s premier emergency response organization which provides assistance to those in need in the United States and throughout the world. To date the Red Cross has received over $35 million in donations. This amount breaks previous records for the amount of money received in the same time period following a disaster. According to the Red Cross, over half of the donations were received through websites with mobile donations breaking records as well.
If you are willing and able to donate as little as $10, you can add to the relief effort in the time it takes to send a text message. Text the word HAITI to 90999 and you will see a ten dollar charge on your next cell phone bill. Verizon Wireless has reported that they have already sent close to three million dollars to the Red Cross from donations received through their customers. When a crisis of this magnitude strikes we often feel helpless to provide assistance. In this case cell phone providers have made it possible to donate a small amount which will have a huge impact on the overall relief effort.
It is good to know that despite the criminal element which is always waiting in the wings to scam Internet users or try to profit from a disaster, there are ways we can take advantage of technology and put it to good use. After a crisis, victims need help immediately and the recent outpouring of support through online and mobile donations has resulted in immediate access to funds which would otherwise take much longer to become available.
Verizon is not the only mobile carrier offering this method of donating to the relief effort. All cell phone carriers are participating in this process. If you prefer to donate in another way, you can also visit redcross.org or call 800-RED-CROSS.
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