Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, wildfires. We may not be able to stop a disaster from happening, but we can connect and help destress the situation for everyone involved with the right communication strategy and tools in place. We don’t like thinking about or planning for a natural disaster, but the impact of ongoing climate changes is real and undeniably rattling our nation coast-to-coast. Each season, we face more self-imposed environmental struggles than the previous year. The west coast wildfire “season” now flares throughout the year. Hurricanes brutalize our southeastern borders. Abnormal flash floods and tornadoes rip through the northeast. As we continue adapting to our new seasonal challenges, disaster relief strategies and how we communicate to keep one another safe after Mother Nature’s moments of fury are keys to survival and recovery in some cases.
Our mobile devices are our real-time crisis companions, whether recording video, sending a text message, or making an emergency call. This aspect makes peer-to-peer text a viable communication channel for alerting communities and equipping them with resources to inform the decision-making process and save lives. At Hustle, we know this to be true from firsthand experience working with organizations like RedTab Foundation, SEIU-UHW and AFT during the record-setting 2020 California wildfire season and the Texas floods.
Less than a year later, with tornados in the northeast, California still ablaze in some regions, and facing the aftermath of superstorms like Hurricane Ida or Tropical Storm Nicholas, it’s time to continue the conversation around peer-to-peer text for disaster relief.
Peer-to-Peer Messaging For Disaster Relief
Uses: Adaptable to the unique needs of each organization, here are just a few ways 1:1 text can be used to correspond with your employees, supporters, and community post-disaster:
- Health Services Information
- Food and Shelter Resource Information
- Community Outreach
- Disaster Relief Teams
- Contact Tracing
- Volunteer Recruitment and Management
- Donation Information
- Post-Disaster Correspondence
Destress The Situation and Communicate Essentials:
The unforeseen changes or circumstances facing communities during critical situations understandably can leave tensions running at an all-time high. Human-to-human connection through text or video empowers organizations to de-escalate situations by answering questions, offering instruction, tips, or comfort to families and individuals. Unlike other channels, a text message conversation doesn’t need an internet connection. Connectivity with audiences can happen 24 hours a day, with or without power.
In addition to disaster relief, Hustle is also a relationship management resource. Below are a few more avenues of usage when you start texting and intensifying the connecting with your audience:
- Community social outreach
- Audience intelligence
- Supporter engagement
- Recruit volunteers
- Strengthen relationships
Hustle Against the CA Wildfires (2020)
During the 2020 California wildfires, SEIU-UHW used Hustle to stay in touch with their members, communicate evacuation alerts, disaster relief resources, find out what needs they have, alert affected members about their foundation, food and shelter resources, and other assistance. In summary, SEIU-UHW sprang into action, launching a text message campaign within 4 hours. The results of their efforts:
- 24K total contacts reached
- 50% response rate
- 9K+ responses and thanks
- 1200 clicked on a direct link to donate
- 1500+ responded needing assistance
- $17K first relief raised!
Don’t Panic: Navigate Disaster With Hustle
Hustle’s conversational peer-based communication platform helps communities navigate a crisis or disaster situation through continuous connectivity during times when it’s needed the most. Hustle empowers you to turn text messages into action, and potentially save lives.
Let’s start a conversation about how we can fit your organization’s unique needs to keep your community informed and prepared in the face of an emergency.
Contact Hustle today, and let’s start turning text into (life-saving) action!
