joining me is chief communications and marketing officer cynthia shaw. ynthia, tell me what's going on back here. i see posts and tweets and all kinds of stuff. >> in our digital operations center, this is a social listening center. where we're listening to what people are saying on social media to help get relief where it's needed and also to help people know what is true and what is false. a lot of times in social media a lot of rumors are swelling. we're here to respond. >> reporter: okay. what helps you to determine where the help is needed? >> in addition, we're now working on a map -- an open street map. we have volunteers over 2,000 volunteers going through satellite images here. >> reporter: like this image here? >> this image here. >> reporter: let's get a shot. okay. in. >> in these images they're able to say what is a building, open space, is the road passable. we have a lot of pathways and not roads. not good maps. it's key for disaster responders to get accurate maps so they know where to deliver help. where are roadways not passable and this

cynthia shaw joins us this morning. you've got way for people to help out. >> after a disast strike updated maps are crucial. so far we had over 2,000 volunteers that have gone into the open street maps and have tagged damaged buildings, roadways that are not passable and real yiers that might not have seen any add. this allows relief workers to get help more effectively into the areas. >> reporter: we'll be sure to put the information on our website. we do appreciate your taking the time to talk with us today. thank you. the american red cross. you can donate by texting the word nepal to 90999 or by calling 1-800-red cross. we're live in san jose this morning. >> we with hope the bay area will step up in a big way. >>> the walt disney parent company is committing a million tlars in aid to victims of the disaster. it will be split among the red cross and save the children. if you like to donate help us in our help nepal effort. you can text anynepal to 90999 or call 1-800-red cross. >>> just looking outside at the ballp

we're joined by cynthia shaw with the organization. cynthia. thanks for getting up earlier. we appreciate it. tell us a little more the local red cross is doing. >> the american red cross is working in close connection with the nepal red cross which has been on the ground responding to the earthquake as soon as it happened. nepal red cross volunteers are there doing first-aid and search and rescue, providing basic supplies. the american red cross is supporting their efforts through information management as well as financial resources. >> reporter: thousands of residents over there have been left homeless. they need the basic supplies that you mentioned. but that doesn't necessarily mean you want people to go out and buy tents and supplies and drop them off. >> that's correct. take a 2 dollars bottle of water, pack it and ship it and transport it, it's going to cost us $22. we could take that $22 and in country buy 50 bottles of water and get the relief there quicker and stimulate the economy. >> whether someone wants to donate to the american red cross or some other organiz

i want to bring in cynthia shaw with the northern clarch coastal region area. what has the local red cross been doing to help? >> one of the things the local red cross is doing is doing social listening listening to what people are saying about the earthquake on the ground and surrounding areas to correct rumors, to identify needs and get the help where it's needed. >> let's talk a little bit about the need over there right now. thousands of people are homeless. they need tents basic supplies but that doesn't necessarily mean you want people going out there and buying the items and dropping them off at the office? >> that's right. it's expensive to ship items across the country. we can take the monetary donation and by incountry more supplies than we could ship. plus stimulate the economy. >> reporter: it's important to make sure you're donating to a legitimate charity. >> make sure the charity has been in country. they know the customs and the culture and they're certified with the better business bureau. >> reporter: we appreciate you time. if you'd like to m