Yolanda Response Shows Power of the Virtual Citizen

By Suzanne Nazal

A year ago this last weekend, Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) hit the Philippines, the strongest tropical cyclone in recorded history. You may have heard about this tragedy via traditional media but it is likely you heard more about it through social media.

A year ago this last weekend, Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) hit the Philippines, the strongest tropical cyclone in recorded history. It claimed thousands of lives and left dozens of towns and cities devastated. You may have heard about this tragedy via traditional media but it is likely you heard more about it through social media.

Through online platforms, people posted calls for help, survivors let the world know they were safe, and photos and videos were posted to describe the situation on the ground, and help plan relief efforts. Maybe you even donated money online to one of the many emergency relief funds set up in the wake of the disaster.

The role of social media in the Haiyan response highlighted the role of information and communications technology (ICT), communication, and civic participation in promoting social change.

Opening up spaces of power

In its report, the World Economic Forum (WEF) underscores how access to the Internet and social media is increasing the power of the individual as a virtual citizen.

In just the past 10 years, the number of Internet users has shot past 1 billion and is nearing 3 billion. Globally, the number of users in developing countries now exceeds those in developed countries.

Indeed, the world has become hyper-connected. As a result, the nearly 3 billion Internet users are both creators as well as consumers of information. Websites, blogs, videos, tweets, can all be broadcast and accessed across the globe in real time. No other medium requires so little resources to reach out to so many. It has strengthened civic engagement, spurred innovation, and changed the way we do development work.

Networks built across geographical and social divides allow greater numbers of people to aggregate and collectively address development challenges.

The WEF notes that social media will continue to shape the nature of civic engagement. Civil society organizations (CSOs) and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) that can anticipate and harness the changing uses of technology for meaningful engagement will be more resilient in the future. Just as Microsoft’s Bill Gates once said, “The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.”

Social media and development

Social media offers enormous possibilities to improve development services because it allows organizations with limited resources to connect with people, and to inform them about important issues affecting their lives and their communities. Topics can range from health and sanitation, disaster preparedness, and gender equality. Citizens can quickly disseminate critical information and play a direct role in citizen monitoring and contribute to better governance.

Engaging with CSOs

ADB’s NGO and Civil Society Center has used social media platforms to disseminate information and share knowledge with key stakeholders, including CSOs. It has become a tool for engaging stakeholders and getting quick feedback from target groups. It also offers a transparent venue for online discussions about key development topics. It makes institutions like the ADB more accessible to the public and helps create highly engaged stakeholders.

Is social media for you?

Building a steady online community takes time and creativity, as well as commitment to experiment with new tools. To maintain engagement, the key is to define your online voice and identity and find appropriate content. Think about what you can offer to your audience that is relevant to them. Get a good grasp of your purpose, and be aware of both the risks and benefits of engaging online.