For a country like the Philippines, monsoons, tropical hurricanes, floods, volcanic eruption, and other natural disasters are common occurrences. Naturally, people would like to know what is going on in real-time mode whether it’s a disaster, breaking news, traffic jams, or even sporting spectacles because they need to be constantly updated with information.
Many people come to Twitter to learn about news and unfolding events. It has become the go-to place to find out #WhatsHappening in real time.
To support this, Twitter launched a dedicated search prompt to help people stay updated with the latest information from authoritative sources around disaster relief and preparedness efforts in the Philippines.
Twitter expanded its Search Prompt, which was specifically put in place for the public to find clear, credible information focusing on disaster preparedness and emergencies. It partnered with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or NDRRMC (@NDRRMC_OpCen), the Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross), as well as other government agencies, NGOs and media to expand its efforts towards handling disaster situations.
The search prompt is to amplify critical information and promote relief efforts either during or after disasters or emergencies with an objective to refer users to credible and reputable government agencies, NGOs and media providing updated information crisis response and disaster emergency. It is available on iOS, Android, and on mobile.twitter.com in the Philippines; in both Tagalog and English languages.
Every time someone searches for certain keywords associated with disaster relief, a prompt will direct them to the relevant information and sources of help available on Twitter. The feature will be reviewed at regular intervals by the Twitter team to ensure that all related keywords generate the proactive search prompt. Some of the search keyword examples are SagipKalamidad, baha, kalamidad, disaster, floods, earthquake etc.
The search prompt will also point to a Twitter list of government agencies, NGOs, and media working towards disaster response and relief in the Philippines, as well as media sources reporting the latest news on natural crises in the Philippines. People looking for support can Follow the List and easily identify and establish contact with credible authorities.
Monrawee Ampolpittayanant, Twitter Head of Public Policy and Philanthropy for Thailand and the Philippines, said, “At its core, Twitter is a real-time and modern version of a town square. These characteristics make Twitter a uniquely useful place for timely communication, and more so when a disaster strikes. Relief teams have always turned to Twitter to connect with people on-the-ground, to share real-time information on the provision of aid, rescue operations and emergency resources. With this initiative, we are furthering our commitment to partner with citizens, civil society as well the governments responsible for providing emergency support. The dedicated search prompt will ensure there is uninterrupted access to relevant and authoritative information, such as important updates on critical transit and utility outages and establish direct access between the affected areas and rescue teams.”
During times of crisis and emergencies, Twitter’s live, open and public nature continue to be leveraged by NGOs, citizens, government agencies and the media to share and exchange information.
Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) is what’s happening in the world and what people are talking about, from breaking news and entertainment to sports, politics, and everyday interests. Available in more than 40 languages around the world, the service can be accessed via twitter.com, an array of mobile devices, and Twitter Lite (mobile.twitter.com. For more information, please visit about.twitter.com, follow @Twitter, @TwitterPH and the South East Asia blog, and download both the Twitter and Periscope apps at twitter.com/download and periscope.tv. To see all of the latest steps Twitter is taking in response to COVID-19, visit covid19.twitter.com.