In times of an emergency or crisis situation, social media offers some of the fastest and most effective tools for getting critical life-saving information to the people. Those affected seek help on social media while many others connect in virtual space to organise relief and take it to the right place. Mahima Kaul, Head of Public Policy at Twitter India, tells New Delhi blog how these virtual communities are playing a significant role together with governments, civil society, first responders and humanitarian organisations, and how information-sharing can be more effective during crisis.