Facebook users who accessed the social media site on November 6 were sure to notice a small blurb in the top field of their computer screens. This ad urged Facebook users to donate money to organizations like the International Medical Corps, Save the Children, and the American Red Cross to help provide relief in countries suffering from the widespread Ebola outbreak. These donations will help these organizations combat the growing number of outbreaks by allowing for proper burials of the deceased and providing proper care to try and take care of those still suffering.
Additionally, Facebook has also pledged to provide medical information from UNICEF to inhabitants of certain regions and also help to donate 100 satellite communication terminals so that workers can have wireless service in remote areas of countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone. I think that Nathaniel does a very good job of explaining Facebook’s strategy of assisting those suffering from this terrible disease through his clear and concise explanation of the events of the campaign. I also appreciated the fact that he urged people to, regardless of whether they give money through Facebook or other campaigns, really know where their money is going as some charities do not have the best track record of distributing aid fairly. All in all, I think Nathaniel in his blog did a brilliant job of spreading awareness for this mounting campaign and showing Facebook’s social responsibility in regards to this topic. Already, this has had a positive impact as another big tech company in Google has joined the campaign urging people to give anything they can to fight this outbreak. Hopefully the increased exposure all around will inspire more people to pay it forward and donate to this worthy cause so that more aid and resources can be sent to these various regions to combat the disease.
http://pando.com/2014/11/06/facebook-commits-to-the-fight-against-ebola/
http://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsoda/2014/11/11/363311837/facebook-friends-ebola-relief-google-searches-for-donations
http://www.directrelief.org/2014/09/statement-regarding-donations-west-africa-ebola-outbreak/