By Microsoft Disaster Response Team
On the heels of Microsoft’s Local
Impact Map announcement,
I am excited to share that we are now also able to provide relief organizations
with the ability to broadcast stories and highlight needs during times of
disaster through a tool called Notes from the Ground. Hosted within Local
Impact Map, Notes from the Ground will deliver eye-witness responder stories via
photos, videos, and messages, to provide real-time access to information on
relief needs in a disaster-stricken area.
Our partnership with Aidmatrix, a longtime Microsoft
Disaster Relief partner, helped bring this vision to life. Aidmatrix works to provide support during
humanitarian crises through the use of technology and partnerships to get the
right aid to people when and where they need it most.
Aidmatrix and other nonprofits will be able to use Notes
From the Ground to share their relief stories during disasters to increase
awareness for the conditions on the ground and the need for community support.
These stories will then be channeled through the Microsoft network of web-based
communication vehicles such as MSN.com, MSNBC.com, Bing, Microsoft.com, Windows
Live, and Microsoft’s social media outlets.
“Disasters are emotional, high-stress and fast-acting situations that leave people wanting to know more, specifically how they can help,” said Keith Thode, COO & CTO of Aidmatrix. “Knowing that Microsoft has this tool readily available within 24 hours of a disaster will allow us to connect with our network of partners and enable them to tell their stories, highlight the work they are doing and connect targeted donations to where they are needed most.”
In addition to exposing the good work being done by the
relief community, we hope that Notes from the Ground will increase visibility
into donation and volunteer opportunities, as well as expose critical needs
during a disaster so the public can be more informed in their giving. For those
looking for ways to support relief efforts, Notes from the Ground will include
a list of specific needs posted by vetted nonprofits responding to a disaster
so that the public can make donations based on these exact requests.
“By telling the stories directly from the ground and tying them to the very specific need from a relief organization, this tool enables the community to make an emotional connection and actually see their donations being put to good use,” said Thode. “From a donor perspective, they are very interested in transparency and they want to know how their resources are being used. Notes from The Ground helps tell that story.”
The Microsoft Disaster Response program is aimed at
improving response capabilities during times of disaster and we see Notes from
the Ground as an exciting tool to support these efforts. We look forward to
sharing more about this tool as Aidmatrix and others begin to implement it into
their relief work.
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