Social media may have brought more awareness of Haiti’s disastrous earthquake to the world, but it can also help the world in its relief efforts to aid the country in its time of need. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android-supported device, there are mobile apps that can put you on the right path towards your desire to give back.
Here are some iPhone and Android apps that can help you keep in touch with loved ones, help raise awareness and funds, and help you remain prepared during a time of disaster. Also, check out the curated list entitled Apps For Social Good.
Apps for giving directly
The Red Cross is a go-to charity for disaster relief, and thankfully the organization has an iPhone app as well. The free iPhone app keeps you updated as to the Red Cross’ activities, and is available in several languages. As the Red Cross is particularly proactive in its use of technology, this iPhone app can also give you information on how to donate via SMS, as well as other options.
Available for both iPhone and Android users, the CauseWorld iPhone app (free) lets you raise money for your charity of choice just by walking into a store. Participating venues sponsor your good deeds with karma points. Search for charities and sponsors with this iPhone app, making your contribution to the relief efforts an ongoing cause.
Apps to raise awareness and communicate with loved ones
Echofon for Twitter is a free iPhone app that lets you communicate with loved ones or rally friends towards the Haiti earthquake relief efforts. With tools for tracking and organizing friends, posting photo and video content, and sending shortened URLs to redirect followers to relevant Web sites, Echofon could be a powerful iPhone app toward helping a nation overcome disaster.
Android users can turn to Seesmic for their charitable social media efforts. The free Twitter Android app has several options for corresponding with friends, accessing lists and uploading multimedia content. Broadcast important messages to friends, re-tweet updates from others, and use the Seesmic Android app to become part of a larger cause.
Facebook is another useful tool for keeping in touch with loved ones and raising awareness and funds toward helping the Haitian people. Facebook has free apps on both the iPhone and Android platforms. Keep tabs on friends’ activities, access pages and groups that have been set up to aid the Haiti earthquake relief efforts, and leverage your social graph towards Haitian relief.
Apps to find local charities and resources
iLocate Charities is one of the many location-based iPhone apps from this developer, though it may be the most useful for those seeking ways to contribute to the Haiti earthquake relief efforts. Search based on keyword and navigate your immediate surroundings in order to find a relevant nonprofit nearby. At 99 cents, the iLocate iPhone app could help you serve a greater cause.
Aloqua is a free Android app for local searches based on your location. Whether you need to find a local charity to contribute toward the Haiti earthquake relief efforts, or you are seeking refuge at a church or hospital when experiencing a disaster yourself, Aloqua features custom channels on the Android app’s homepage for easy access to local venues.
Apps to ensure that you will always be prepared
No matter where you are on the globe, Emergency Preparation is a useful digest to carry. Although a bit preachy with the global warming and religious messages, the $2.99 iPhone app offers 22 potentially life-saving tips ranging from, “Emergency Preparedness for a Hurricane” to what to do, “When a Volcano Erupts Tomorrow.” The menu for Emergency Preparation is intuitive and easy to navigate. No one would want to adjust the screen size while trying to get themselves through a calamity.
At 99 cents, QuakeWatch – Latest Earthquake Info, is one of several iPhone apps that detail the time, location and scale of earthquakes from around the planet. Using data from the U.S. Geological Survey and images from Google Maps, the iPhone app detailed the 7.0 Richter scale quake and aftershocks that shook Haiti this week.
ICE stands for “In Case of Emergency.” This commonly-used acronym is also an app found on the ICE iPhone (99 cents) and Android ($2.99) platforms, giving you a GPS-tracking tool that will alert your emergency contacts to your exact location should you need aid. The iPhone and Android apps also contain your personal information, medical allergies, blood type and more, so the odds of you surviving disaster are increased upon rescue.
Discover more Curated Android Apps and Curated iPhone Apps handpicked by users like you.
