Facebook News Update 2014: FB steps ups to fight Ebola. The social network encourages its users to donate and help battle the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. According to Recode, FB will publish a charity donation button across the top of its users' News Feeds beginning Thursday to make it easier for its users to donate to charities battling the disease.
"In times of crisis, people turn to Facebook to learn about what's happening, share their experiences and offer support," Naomi Gleit, VP of Product Management stated in a blog posted together with Chris Daniels, VP of Internet.org.
According to FB Newsroom, Ebola has struck multiple countries in West Africa and 13,000 cases around the world have already been listed by the World Health Organization. With this, FB announced three initiatives on how to help fight the deadly disease:
- An easy way to donate - a Donate feature to raise awareness and funds for International Medical Corps, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Save the Children
- Health education - collaborating with UNICEF to show information on Ebola symptoms and treatment to people in targeted regions on Facebook
- Emergency voice and data services - working with NetHope to provide vital communications capacity to medical and aid workers in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone
Aside from donation button, Gleit said that "Facebook is also utilizing its ad technology to target specific users with educational materials about Ebola."
According to Recode, the company is also providing 100 wireless hotspots to areas in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. These are the locations where first responders are stationed. According to Chris Daniels, VP of Internet.org, the hotspots aim to provide voice and data services to those on the ground that will allow them to get connected to the world.
Gleit said that Facebook wants to make these kinds of humanitarian efforts more often.
"It's part of a larger effort to do more [in the future]," she added.
Reportedly, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg donated $25 million to Centers for Disease Control Foundation to fight Ebola.
