U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has evangelized the use of mobile marketing technology to gather donations benefiting natural disaster victims worldwide.
“I just texted a contribution myself, because we know from our own experience, particularly in Haiti, small donations can add up to make a big difference,” Secretary Clinton said earlier this week. “Americans have always shown great generosity to people facing crises worldwide. So I urge Americans to join this effort and send some much needed help to the people of Pakistan.”
The Secretary was talking about the recent floods in Pakistan, from which 1,400 people have died and more than three million people have been affected, according to the United Nations. In response, the mGive Foundation (the charitable partner of Mobile Accord, which serves hundreds of U.S. philanthropic organizations and has raised more than 95 percent of all funds gathered via mobile giving) and several of mGive’s disaster relief partners has launched text donation campaigns that will aid victims by distributing tents, relief supplies, and humanitarian assistance.
Mobile donations entice generosity for several reasons. They are secure and guaranteed to go to the organization or cause they’re intended. Also, they take advantage of mobile’s sense of immediacy–a person sees or hears about a donation campaign, pulls out her/his phone, sends a quick text to a short code, and it’s done. When I texted a donation to charities helping Haitian earthquake victims, I got an immediate response, much like a double opt-in marketing message, making sure I’d wanted to send money and assuring me that my pledge had been taken.
And since we’re talking politics: The more individuals around the world can contribute, the less aid that countries like the United States will need to offer less fortunate nations.
Here’s a list of organizations helping Pakistani flood victims, and how to pledge $5 or $10:
- For Central Asia Institute, text the word CAI to 50555 to give $10. Central Asia Institute provides community-based education opportunities in Pakistan & Afghanistan.
- For CHF International, text the word PAKISTAN to 50555 to give $5. CHF International will provide transitional shelter, create livelihoods, and ultimately re-build Pakistan’s economic and social foundations.
- For Islamic Society of North America, text the word RELIEF to 27722 to give $10. The Islamic Society of North America contributes to the betterment of the Muslim community and society at large.
- For UNHCR, text the word SWAT to 50555 to give $10. UNHCR emergency response teams are distributing tents, relief supplies, and humanitarian assistance to people displaced by the flooding.
- For World Food Programme USA, text the word AID to 27722 to give $10. WFP will use helicopters to transport food to people in isolated communities across the Swat Valley.
- For World Emergency Relief, text the word RESCUE to 50555 to give $10. Rescue Task Force is a San Diego County based non-profit relief agency that responds to natural and man-made disasters world-wide.
- For Zakat Foundation of America, text the work ZAKATUS to 50555 to give $10. Zakat Foundation has begun to address the immediate needs of flood survivors by providing food and clothing in four key Pakistani districts.
