Social networking sites boost Haiti disaster appeal
18 January 2010
Social networking websites have played an important role in
raising funds and awareness for Haiti appeals within the third
sector, it has been claimed.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) revealed
that it raised £8 million within 24 hours of launching its appeal
for earthquake victims in the nation''s capital on Wednesday
(January 13).
Over 9,000 people signed up to the DEC fan page on Facebook as a
result of the appeal, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Chief executive Brendan Gormley told the newspaper: "I''m
thrilled that we have been able to quickly communicate and engage
the UK public.
"Social networking has proven itself as a valuable addition to the
fundraising machine."
Around 3,000 users have also viewed the charity's appeal video
on YouTube.
The seven-magnitude quake hit Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, forcing
thousands of people from their homes and causing an as-yet-unknown
number of fatalities.
The DEC launched its appeal on Wednesday with the support of a
number of UK broadcasting companies, including the BBC, Channel 4
and Al-Jazeera.
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