Iran Feature: Facebook and the Earthquakes (Kaviani)

Hannah Kaviani writes for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty:

Back in 2009, at the height of mass protests that followed Iran's disputed presidential election, Facebook emerged as an important tool for protesters to share news and information. It had such an impact that the authorities even branded Facebook a weapon in a "soft war" against the Islamic republic. 

As a result, users in Iran have to jump through hoops to access the social-media website today. Unbowed, they go through the hassle of going through proxy servers to circumvent the regime's efforts to block Facebook.

And this week, for those suffering from the earthquakes that struck northwestern Iran, their unsanctioned efforts were life-saving.

In the immediate aftermath of the August 11 quakes in East Azerbaijan Province, which left more than 300 dead and thousands homeless, Facebook users came to the rescue.

Journalists, the majority of them based in Iran, initiated a Facebook group to gather and spread reliable news and information related to the disaster.

Many, like independent journalist Sasan Aghaei, headed out to gather on-the-ground reports.

"I'm back from two flattened villages in Varzaghan," Aghaei wrote in a message posted on August 12. "All we brought from Tehran was given to people, but it was like a drop in the ocean. We observed today the work of Red Crescent people, transferring the bodies, the wounded and situating homeless people in tents (which are not in very good condition). The main problem now is making water and food available."

Another Facebook group, Female Equals Male, boasts more than 140,000 "likes." Following the earthquakes, the group encouraged followers to head to blood-donation stations in cities across Iran.

The call was answered, with eyewitnesses reporting that people were standing in line well after midnight on the night of the tragedy to help fill depleted blood banks.

"I work for one of the blood-transfusion centers in Tehran," wrote Ahmad in a message posted on August 13. "And I can say it was the first time that I have ever seen people being so eager to donate blood. It has always been us, pushing, advertising and asking people to do so."

Mahsa from Karaj provided this comment to Female Equals Male the same day:

"After searching a while we found a place to give our donations to be taken to affected areas. To our surprise what we gathered turned out to fill a van. On our way to find boxes for packing, we got into an accident. The driver [of the other car], who was very angry when he found out what we were up to, just got into his car and left. He in a way helped the survivors. Hopefully we will manage to donate blood tonight as well."

Other Facebook users, both at home and abroad, are actively trying to mobilize help for survivors.

Some draw on experience they gained from past travels to the cities of Bam, Zanjan, or Roodbar, where past earthquakes claimed thousands of lives. These users are pooling their knowledge of what is needed in such crisis situations and sharing it with those who are willing to go to the affected areas.

Others are gathering money, including dozens of Iranians outside of the country. However, they face one obstacle: sanctions.

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