Social media has become a great avenue for people to connect in different ways. Aside from communicating with our loved ones around the world, we also get information from it.
In the past few years, we’ve used social media to inform others of emergencies and disasters around the world. This includes spreading awareness, raising funds, and gathering resources to be brought to those in need.
However, have you ever thought of what happens out in the field when delivering these resources? The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has currently teamed up with Twitter to create an interactive thread to educate the public on the difficulties of delivering aid and to increase support for the cause.
https://twitter.com/ICRC/status/1167085729413042176
Impactful storytelling
The twitter thread is likened to a choose-your-own-adventure story. However, its main goal is for the reader to face scenarios that frontline negotiators potentially face when delivering goods to a besieged city. The scenarios have options provided in which the reader can choose as to what they want to do. In turn, these decisions lead to another obstacle that could mean a success or failure.
Claude Bruderlein, Strategic Advisor to the President of the ICRC and Lead Researcher on ICRC Negotiation Practices has stated that, “We are dependent on our ability to negotiate with all parties. If we fail people may suffer or die.” Although the story being presented on the interactive thread is fictional, these difficult scenarios and decisions are realities that frontliners face.
The choices in the thread often lead to dire consequences. These dangers include negotiations with the armed forces, insurance of security, and simply staying alive.
https://twitter.com/Nonprofits/status/1173671583820505088
The thread aims to raise awareness of the realities that people face in war-torn countries and supports the efforts of ICRC to help those caught in the crossfires of war. Aside from this, the partnership with Twitter allows for a meaningful usage of social media. If you want to try it out, head on to the ICRC twitter and start the interactive thread.
YouTube: What is the International Committee of the Red Cross? | On The Frontline
Photo credits: The feature photo is owned by ICRC and was provided for press usage.
