This is divided into five parts: (1) Social Media as a tool in disaster management; (2) How Social Media can be used in disasters; (3) Limitations and weaknesses of Social Media; (4) Case studies of Social Media use during disasters; and (5) Conclusion.

1. West Bengal university of animal and fishery
sciences
AEM -328
OPERATION AND USES OF
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS AND
SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DISASTER
A SEMINAR ON
SUBMITTED TO,
PROF. S.K.ROUT
DEPT. OF AEM
SUBMITTED BY,
RAJESH MANDAL
B.F.Sc 3rd YEAR 6th SEM
F/2015/24

2. INTRODUCTION
The media forges a direct link between the public
and emergency organizations.
 It plays a very important role in publishing vital
information to the public before, during and after
disasters.
The media assists in the management of disasters
by educating the public about disasters and
facilitating discussions about disaster
preparedness and response for continuous
improvement.

3. SOCIAL MEDIA
• Social media is the collective of online
communications channels dedicated to
community-based input, interaction, content-
sharing and collaboration.
Social Media allows average
people to connect to the
global network even when
resources such as landlines
and cellphones are not
working.

4. TYPES OF MEDIA
 Radio and Television are prominent player in
electronic media,
where as newspapers, magazines, journals are part
of the print media.
1. Electronic media
2. Print media
Traditional forms of media such as radio or television
are supplemented by Social Media

5. FACEBOOK
• Facebook offers disaster management organizations,
such as FEMA(Federal Emergency Management
Agency) to keep the public informed of emergency
situations before, during, and after they occur.
Facebook
safety check
In case of a disaster, Facebook
recognises the users being located in
the affected area. Then, the users can
post that they are safe via a simple
button

6. TWITTER
• Twitter has become an efficient and popular way to
report on disasters because of its popularity and
ease of use. Currently FEMA has 34 accounts on
Twitter, which allows the agency to keep the public
informed during an emergency.

7. YOUTUBE
• In disaster management YouTube can provide
the public with information on what to do
prior to a disaster.
• This can include something as simple as a
video on how to pack a “72 HOUR KIT” or
other information on how to plan ahead for a
disaster.

8. How Social Media Can Be Used in
Disasters
• Before the disaster
• During the disaster
• After the disaster

9. Before the disaster
1. Informs the public on how to be prepared if a
disaster occurs.
2. Shows the public where to look for
information on a disaster if one were to occur.
3. Gives the public confidence that the disaster
management organization is capable of
conducting emergency response when the
time comes.
4. Keeps the public informed on the location and
movement of storms or other potential
hazards.

10. During the disaster
1. Provides information on evacuations in specific
regions.
2. Keeps the public aware of regions that they should
avoid.
3. Discredits rumors about the disaster before they
can spread.
4. Provides the public with information on road
closures.
5. Informs those affected by the disaster about the
actions that are being taken to assist them.

11. After the disaster
1. Reunites families and loved ones who have been
separated from each other.
2. Informs the public on recovery efforts.
3. Assures the survivors of the disaster that they will
be supported.
4. Provides information and links to charitable
organizations that are seeking to assist the survivors
of the disaster.

12. Case Studies of Social Media Use During
Disasters
Tohoku Earthquake(9.0) and Tsunami ( in 2011)
When cellphones and land lines were failing, Social Media
websites and applications such as Twitter and Facebook were still
up and running.
The hashtag #j_j_helpme was used on Twitter .The first letter j
stands for Japan and the second one is for Jishin, which translates
to “earthquake” in Japanese.
The Mayor of Minami-Souma, Sakurai Katsunobu, posted a video on
YouTube. He pleaded for help from the Japanese government in the
form of supplies such as food and fuel. This video drew international

13. Hurricane Sandy, or “Superstorm Sandy”
• tweet on Twitter and post on their Facebook page information
about the current location of the hurricane and where it was
expected to make landfall.
struck the Caribbean and the east coast of the United States in October 2012.
American Red Cross were posting on their Facebook pages that
they were accepting donations to help the victims of Hurricane
Sandy
911 operator isn’t designed for disasters where the operators may
be faced with a huge number of calls. Instead, people were able to
communicate with emergency personnel over Twitter to inform
them of their circumstances.

14. Strengths of Social Media
• Reliable Form of Communication
• Reaches a Broad Audience
• Allows for Direct Communication
• Allows the Public to Participate
• Can Cross Organizational Lines
• Delivered Instantaneously

15. Limitations of Social Media
• Rumors Spread Quickly
• Unrecognized Potential
• Non-use of Internet/Social Media
• Electricity Required
• Unrealistic Expectations
• Requires Literacy

16. Conclusion
Social Media has the potential to be a lifesaving asset
during a disaster.
Social Media has the added value of being able to
reach a larger audience and being able to
communicate directly with the public.
It is important to stress that even with its limitations
Social Media is still an important tool in disaster
management.

17. REFERENCES
The-Application-of-Social-Media-in-Disasters-Final-
Product
www.google.com
www.wikipedia.com
A pdf on Role of media in disaster management
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/2715855
20(Use of Social Media in Natural Disaster
Management)