Caribbean’s Leading Mobile Provider Supports Relief Efforts in Haiti, Jamaica and Turks & Caicos Islands
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Digicel has pledged over US$1.3 million to support the relief efforts across the Caribbean in the wake of recent Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike.
Digicel’s contribution comes in the shape of donations to NGOs like the Red Cross, Food for the Poor, Catholic Relief Services, Concern and Agerca in Haiti and the Gustav Relief Fund and Mustard Seed in Jamaica — as well as the direct supply of aid parcels and free call credit across Haiti, Jamaica and Turks & Caicos.
Colm Delves, Digicel Group CEO, comments: “As a company born in the Caribbean and one of the largest employers in the region, we understand our responsibility to help these countries in times of need. Above and beyond our role in keeping friends and family connected — which we did successfully throughout the storms — we’re committed to helping people get back on their feet.”
In Haiti, as well as making cash donations of US$400k to NGOs, US$200k towards the supply of direct aid and medical supplies and a further US$400k in free call credit and other mobile services, Digicel staff have also committed themselves to the relief efforts. Through the organization of clothing donations and blood donations for Haiti as well as taking part in telethons and radiothons, Digicel staff are actively contributing to the relief efforts and increasing public awareness.
In Jamaica, Digicel donated food and supplies to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management to arrive in the worst hit areas the day after the passing of Hurricane Gustav and is now making further commitments of US$230k to the Government’s Gustav Relief Fund and a further US$30k to help rebuild the damaged structures at the Mustard Seed Communities — the first social project in Jamaica that Digicel assisted with back in 2001.
Meanwhile for Turks & Caicos, Digicel chartered and filled two planes with aid parcels to get to the people in the worst affected areas the day after the passing of Hurricane Ike — and also donated free mobile handsets and car chargers to keep people in need connected.
“Our support for the relief efforts and determination to help wherever we can is inherent to our role here as is our commitment to keeping our customers connected. Digicel stands ready to assist in whatever way we can in the rebuilding efforts,” adds Colm Delves.
