* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
FAMILIES bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Irene are receiving emergency support from Facebook.
Global children’s charity Plan International is using the social networking site to offer urgent advice and updates in the Dominican Republic.
Irene has already passed over the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico - cutting power to more than a million people.
“We have placed special messages on our Facebook page to show people how to look after children during an emergency, such as a hurricane,“ says Ernesto Díaz, Plan’s advocacy manager in Dominican Republic.
“We’re also providing links that track the progress of Irene.”
“Placing these messages on Facebook is inexpensive and means children are not forgotten when preparing for storms, “ explains Mr. Diaz.
“It grabs the attention of the public and can give more publicity to the messages, boosting awareness and enabling people to take positive action.”
Earlier this month, 60,000 followers logged on to the page as Tropical Storm Emily threatened the Caribbean island.
The site urges islanders to prioritise the welfare of children, who may become separated from their families during evacuations.
“We want to educate children and their communities on how to prepare for disaster,” says Mr Diaz.
The site is seen as a crucial tool during the Atlantic Hurricane season as messages can be posted regularly and quickly.
“It helps our work in guaranteeing children’s rights in emergencies and motivating people to stay alert for government information,” says Mr Diaz.
After a storm, the site posts messages to help families recover – such as how to access clean water and keep healthy.
“We also post information on preventing cholera, which is a possible consequence of floods,” says Mr Diaz.
“It’s all part of our work to help children and promote their rights in an emergency.”
For more information on Plan’s work or to make a donation call 0800 526 848 or visit www.plan-uk.org
For more information visit www.plan-uk.org
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Rose Foley
Media Relations Officer
Plan UK | www.plan-uk.org
Direct Line: 0203 217 0257 | Switchboard: 0300 777 9777 / +44 (0)20 7608 1311 (Non-UK) | Mobile: 07964 296 431 | Skype: rose_planUK | Address: Finsgate 5-7 Cranwood Street, London EC1V 9LH
Notes to editors
1) Plan is a global children’s charity. We work with children in the world’s poorest countries to help them build a better future. A future you would want for all children, your family and friends. For over 70 years we’ve been taking action and standing up for every child’s right to fulfill their potential by:
• giving children a healthy start in life, including access to safe drinking water
• securing the education of girls and boys
• working with communities to prepare for and survive disasters
• inspiring children to take a lead in decisions that affect their lives
• enabling families to earn a living and plan for their children’s future.
We do what’s needed, where it’s needed most. We do what you would do. With your support children, families and entire communities have the power to move themselves from a life of poverty to a future with opportunity.
www.plan.org.uk
2) Plan UK is a member of The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation for 14 leading humanitarian aid agencies.
3) We work with children in 48 of the world’s poorest countries to help them build a better future.
4) Plan was founded by British journalist John Langdon-Davies in 1937 to rescue orphans and other vulnerable children from the Spanish Civil War.
5) We have over 114,000 sponsors in the UK, generating £25 million a year, and 1.5 million sponsored children worldwide.
6) Sponsorship starts at £15-a-month and, rather than going to individual children and their families, funds projects to improve schooling, health, nutrition and livelihoods across communities.
