We Have We Need
We Have We Need takes the simple concept of matching relief organizations in need with those that have resources and wraps it in an easy-to-use website. Created by a group of self-described “geeky do-gooders,” the beta version of the site is devoted to the 2010 Haiti Earthquake relief efforts.
Disaster and Society Blog
Inspired by the recent earthquake in Haiti and media coverage of the event, North Carolina State University’s Thomas Birkland has created a blog that addresses the social, political, and policy aspects of disaster. With nearly 20 years of experience to draw on and a plan to include guest authors, Birkland’s newly minted Disaster and Society is could soon be a favorite on hazard blog rolls.
Tweak the Tweet
Although Twitter has proven useful in disasters and emergencies, large-scale events can quickly turn those innocuous tweets into a senseless cacophony. The Tweak the Tweet project uses formulized hashtags to restructure tweets so computers can make sense of the noise. With Haiti aid requests and welfare inquiries still filling up the Twitterverse, now is a great time to learn more about the project and even try your own hand at tweet tweaking.
Resilient American Communities: Progress in Practice and Policy
This conference summary report gives a synopsis of the December 10, 2009 meeting organized by the Center for Biosecurity, START, and the Natural Hazards Center. Attendees discussed the indications of field experience in improving community resilience and ways the federal government could help. Speaker bios, videos, and background readings also are included on the site.
School District Collaboration and Emergency Planning: A New Dataset
This recently released dataset assesses disaster preparedness and collaborative practices for educational institutions. The data, compiled by Texas A&M University researchers, was gathered from a 2007 survey of Texas school districts that included questions related to emergency preparedness, coordination, and disaster experiences.