Ecuadoreans Use Social Media to Aid in Search for Survivors

Hundreds are reported to be missing following the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the coastal region of Ecuador last Saturday, leading many to use social media platforms as way to find their loved ones.

The UN has praised the Ecuadorean authorities swift response to the natural disaster, as the South American nation deployed some 10,000 troops and 3,500 police are being deployed to the affected areas.

But Ecuadoreans themselves are also using social networks like Facebook and Twitter to search for loved ones and donate aid. Many are using Facebook groups to organize donations and aid packages while others are using Twitter to tweet out images of the missing.

Aid from other countries in solidarity with Ecuador Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba and Bolivia has also helped in the search and rescue efforts.