Published: September 11, 2008
Digicel Commits US$1 Million Towards Hurricane Relief Efforts in Haiti

Digicel, the fastest growing mobile
company in the Caribbean and new entrant to the Central America market, has
committed US$1 million to support the relief efforts following the passing
of four major storms -- two of them hurricanes -- in Haiti.
In response to the devastation caused to Haiti over the last month, Digicel
has actioned a series of relief initiatives to help the Haitian people
through the difficult times and to get the country back on its feet.
Colm Delves, Digicel Group CEO, comments: "Since we launched in Haiti in
May 2006, the Haitian people have made us their own. As a part of the
Haitian community, we're saddened by the devastation that has been caused
to Haiti and its people by the storms and want to do everything we can to
help with the relief efforts."
Digicel's US$1 million commitment comprises $400K of aid support to NGOs,
$400K of free minutes and other mobile services and a further $200K of
direct aid distribution across Haiti.
In partnership with the Red Cross, Food for the Poor, Catholic Relief
Services, Concern and Agerca, Digicel's NGO donation of US$ 400k will help
to get aid to some of the worst affected areas of Haiti, which in some
cases, like Nippes, have not received any support to date. These supplies
will take the form of (amongst other things) food containers and
toiletries, kitchen, hygiene and medical kits and supplies and air
transport for two water treatment plants.
In addition to putting US$200K towards the direct supply and distribution
of aid to storm victims, Digicel is donating US$400K in the form of free
minutes which will be given to customers in the worst affected areas of
Artibonite (Gonaives) and Nippes -- as well as the South, South East and
West of Haiti.
Given the scale of the impact on Haiti, ongoing initiatives are key.
As well as Digicel employees taking part in a blood donation scheme with
the Red Cross and the extension of this effort to Digicel subscribers,
Digicel is taking part in a telethon and radiothon on the 14th of
September. Customers will be able to donate to the relief fund by text and
the Diaspora will be able to use the Digicel TopUp service to make airtime
minute transfers by text (with Digicel's Diaspora partners agreeing to
waive their commission fees to ensure that every penny of the donations
makes a difference to the people that most need it). Digicel employees from
the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe have run two donation days
resulting in four (4) containers of clothing, and food supplies already
arriving in Haiti.
"Our responsibility to the people of Haiti goes way beyond ensuring that
they can stay connected to their friends and family -- something that we
did very successfully during the storms. As well as our tireless efforts to
ensure that people have access to the communications services they rely on
-- we're committed to helping people to get back on their feet and to
rebuild the island," said Colm Delves.
ABOUT DIGICEL
Since its launch in 2001, Digicel has become the largest wireless
telecommunications operator in the Caribbean with more than six million
customers. After seven years, Digicel is renowned for competitive rates,
unbeatable coverage, superior customer care, a wide variety of products and
services, and state-of-the-art handsets. By offering innovative wireless
services and community support, Digicel has become a leading brand in the
Caribbean and has placed the region at the cutting-edge of wireless
communications.
Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and has operations in 23 markets,
including Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire,
Curaçao, The Cayman Islands, Dominica, El Salvador, French Guiana, Grenada,
Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, St Kitts & Nevis, St.
Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname Trinidad & Tobago and Turks &
Caicos. With new launches planned for the British Virgin Island (BVI),
Honduras and Panama, Digicel expects to be in 26 markets in the next 12
months. The Caribbean company also has coverage in St. Martin and St.
Barths.
For more information on Digicel, please visit www.digicelgroup.com.
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