Haiti: Internet is the best in crisis situations

It has become so natural that nobody is talking about. It's in crisis situations that Internet is the best. Everyone has seen pictures of this Haitian journalist, Carel Pedre, explaining the situation to his webcam, sending SMS messages and tweets. And it's thanks to the web, via email, Twitter, Facebook or MSN that families may have had news because the country was quickly isolated after the earthquake of January 12.

If Twitter was used as first communication channel, sites such as Ushahidi are providing amazing maps detailing aid and damage. Both Google and Facebook are producing missing persons lists and satellite networks are also diverting resources to provide communications to aid agencies and the military. The UN body Telecoms Sans Frontieres, which maintains a network of telecommunications engineers and mobile equipment worldwide, has deployed two teams in the region, according to the BBC. 

But most important is the role of Internet and mobile telecommunications for donations.

It has become so natural that nobody is talking about. It's in crisis situations that Internet is the best. Everyone has seen pictures of this Haitian journalist, Carel Pedre, explaining the situation to his webcam, sending SMS messages and tweets. And it's thanks to the web, via email, Twitter, Facebook or MSN that families may have had news because the country was quickly isolated after the earthquake of January 12.

If Twitter was used as first communication channel, sites such as Ushahidi are providing amazing maps detailing aid and damage. Both Google and Facebook are producing missing persons lists and satellite networks are also diverting resources to provide communications to aid agencies and the military. The UN body Telecoms Sans Frontieres, which maintains a network of telecommunications engineers and mobile equipment worldwide, has deployed two teams in the region, according to the BBC. 

But most important is the role of Internet and mobile telecommunications for donations.

The American Red Cross thus collected more than three million dollars in a few hours by inviting American people to send a SMS with the word "Haiti". This SMS is charged 10$, fully returned to the Red Cross response to an agreement with mobile operators. Idem in Canada for donations of 5$. In Germany, the same word sent by SMS is billed 5 euros but 17 cents are retained by the operator.

In France, the donation by SMS is contractually prohibited. This prohibition made by the Superior Council of the telematics recommendations would be justified by the impossibility to issue tax receipts. Argument swept by those who do not think to claim a tax deduction on small amounts (in France, donations open right for an individual to a tax deduction of 66 % of the amount within the limit of 20% of taxable income. This reduction is increased to 75 % for donations to humanitaries NGOs, in the limit of 510€ per year).

French mobile operators have opened up the possibility to make a donation by SMS: 1 euro donation with the text HAITI to 80 222 for the French Red Cross, 80 333 for the Secours Populaire, or 80 444 to Secours Catholique.  It is possible to give the usual ways and Internet. It's better to give organizations you know. 

Donate online:

-Red Cross  French
-UNICEF
The Fondation de France
Doctors without borders
Action against hunger

This list is of course comprehensive step. Please complete any. And if someone has the information to explain why we have not managed to amend our rules of gifts by SMS for five years, please come and share them.

In France, the donation by SMS is contractually prohibited. This prohibition made by the Superior Council of the telematics recommendations would be justified by the impossibility to issue tax receipts. Argument swept by those who do not think to claim a tax deduction on small amounts (in France, donations open right for an individual to a tax deduction of 66 % of the amount within the limit of 20% of taxable income. This reduction is increased to 75 % for donations to humanitaries NGOs, in the limit of 510€ per year).

French mobile operators have opened up the possibility to make a donation by SMS: 1 euro donation with the text HAITI to 80 222 for the French Red Cross, 80 333 for the Secours Populaire, or 80 444 to Secours Catholique.  It is possible to give the usual ways and Internet. It's better to give organizations you know. 

Donate online:

-Red Cross  French
-UNICEF
The Fondation de France
Doctors without borders
Action against hunger

This list is of course comprehensive step. Please complete any. And if someone has the information to explain why we have not managed to amend our rules of gifts by SMS for five years, please come and share them.