Latest
Support, Condolences And Offers Of Help Flood Belgian Social Media
Support, Condolences And Offers Of Help Flood Belgian Social Media
By Sarah Kaufman
Mar 22, 2016
This Russian Female Boxer Fights As A Man
This Russian Female Boxer Fights As A Man
By Vocativ Staff
Aug 27, 2017
Why Was A Gay Writer Denied Cat Adoption?
Why Was A Gay Writer Denied Cat Adoption?
By Jonathan Sanger
Aug 25, 2017
Caring For The Dogs Of Chernobyl
Caring For The Dogs Of Chernobyl
By Jonathan Sanger
Aug 25, 2017
A Black Hole Was Simulated And Studied In A Bathtub
A Black Hole Was Simulated And Studied In A Bathtub
By Jeff Donlan
Aug 25, 2017
Trapped For Hours, Three Young Brothers Rescued After Italy Quake
Trapped For Hours, Three Young Brothers Rescued After Italy Quake
By Andrew Caringi
Aug 25, 2017
Chocolate Repairs Damaged Hair At This Salon
Chocolate Repairs Damaged Hair At This Salon
By Jeff Donlan
Aug 25, 2017
This Man Might Love Honey More Than Winnie The Pooh
This Man Might Love Honey More Than Winnie The Pooh
By Jeff Donlan
Aug 24, 2017
How One Country Handled Statues From Its Controversial Past
How One Country Handled Statues From Its Controversial Past
By Andrew Caringi
Aug 24, 2017
These Bears Were Rescued From Abusive Circuses
These Bears Were Rescued From Abusive Circuses
By Jeff Donlan
Aug 24, 2017
Does Putin’s $4 Billion ‘Super Bridge’ Into Europe Violate Law?
Does Putin’s $4 Billion ‘Super Bridge’ Into Europe Violate Law?
By Isaac Himmelman
Aug 24, 2017
ISIS

Support, Condolences And Offers Of Help Flood Belgian Social Media

#OpenHouse, #Ikwilhelpen and local Facebook groups reach out to those affected by the Brussels bombings

ISIS
(Marec)
By Sarah Kaufman
Mar 22, 2016 at 9:08 AM ET

Hours after a string of coordinated terror attacks tore through Brussels, Belgians and people around the world are flooding social media with information, support, and offers to help the wounded and those whose lives have been upended by the chaos in the European capital.

Belgian Facebook groups are overrun with posts offering shelter to bombing victims or anyone without a place to stay in Brussels, as well as rides to shelter, and pleas and offers for blood donations. A series of explosions at the Brussels airport, along with an apparently coordinated bombing at a subway station, left dozens dead, more than 100 wounded on Tuesday morning.

One group that normally acts as an online marketplace like Craigslist was filled with informational posts about the attacks. One post said the Saint-Pierre University hospital in Brussels was filled to the brim, and anyone who needed medical care should go to a different hospital nearby. The same post said the hospital was in need of blood types O and A.

Several posts in the same group, such as this one, offered housing to travelers who needed a place to stay:

Hundreds of people in Belgium used the hashtags ‪#‎ikwilhelpen‬ (I want to help) and #OpenHouse to coordinate car rides and houses to stay for people affected by the attacks.

On a more nerve-wracking note, some posted photos of their loved ones who were in Brussels at the time of the attack on Facebook, asking if anyone knew of their whereabouts.

Translation: “I have no news of my son, ILIAS. Please if anyone has any news?”

As news of the violence spread, condolences and messages support also began surfacing around the world under #JeSuisBruxelles and others. One striking image came from a Muslim refugee in Greece.