Social media in disaster management: How social media impact the work of volunteer groups and aid organisations in disaster preparation and response

Abstract

This study examines forms of social media use in disaster management, focusing on volunteer groups and aid organisations. This research interest emerged from observing several grassroots initiatives using social media to implement aid activities. Approaches to transforming organisations through network structures and to developing community building are applied to the field of disaster management. The aim is to investigate if collective actions via social media can lead to the development of virtual (aid) communities, and how these operate. Two disasters are examined as example cases: the flooding in Germany and the Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, both in 2013. Thirteen guided expert interviews are carried out and evaluated. The results show that social media use in disaster management reflects the general trend towards a strengthened participation of the population in public communication. Social media can, however, only be part of a more comprehensive strategy necessary for disaster response and early warning.