As part of Digicel’s relief efforts in Haiti, the country’s largest mobile operator has donated an assortment of generators, phones and credit to 15 radio stations in Port-au-Prince to help them get back in contact with their listeners after the earthquake on January 12th.
With no electricity, damaged equipment and buildings that were destroyed during the earthquake, radio stations were faced with a host of logistical challenges that made it difficult for them to broadcast important information to the people of Haiti. Now, with the donation of this vital equipment, these radio stations have been able to resume broadcasting.
Digicel has also launched a host of value promotions to help customers who lost their phones during the earthquake get back online and communicate with family and friends. The Motorola WX160 and the Samsung 1080 – which are new additions to Digicel’s wide range of handsets – are available for just US$12 and the BlackBerry 8520 has been reduced to US$300, from US$375. In addition, customers who top up by just US$1.25 via the Digicel Pap Padap top up service get an extra 10% credit free.
The Director General of Radio Télé Galaxie, Aruns Bellevue, who received a 40kw generator from Digicel, commented: “Following the earthquake, we faced a lot of logistical challenges that prevented us from broadcasting our usual programs and news bulletins. With radio being the most popular form of mass communication in Haiti, it was very important that we got back up and running as soon as possible. Thanks to Digicel, we are now fully operational once again.”
Digicel Marketing Director, Tatiana Policard, commented: “Since the earthquake took place on January 12th, humanitarian relief has been pouring into Haiti. With the distribution of food, water and medical supplies taking place right throughout Port-au-Prince on a daily basis, it is vital that radio stations are able to broadcast this information to the people of Haiti.
“It is also important that our customers are able to stay in touch with friends and family, so – for those whose phones were lost or damaged during the earthquake – we have launched a host of value promotions to help them stay in touch.”
Since the earthquake, Digicel has sent over 90,000lbs of provisions and 21,000lbs of medical supplies and antibiotics to help those whose lives have been devastated by the earthquake. In addition, Digicel has sent three vessels carrying more than 400,000lbs of equipment and supplies to Haiti.
Digicel has also collaborated with international artists to record and produce a song – Rise Again – that has launched worldwide. The song was written by Shaggy and features international artists such as Sean Paul, Sean Kingston and a host of Caribbean artists. The artistes and record labels are donating their proceeds to the Digicel Haiti Relief Fund.
As the single largest investor in Haiti with a total investment of over U$300 million since its launch in 2006, Digicel has over two million customers in Haiti. The Digicel Haiti Relief Fund has donated US$5 million to NGOs in Haiti to support the relief efforts and over US$600,000 has been raised by Digicel customers across the Caribbean and Central America through a text and voice donation line. Digicel also gave each of its two million customers US$5 in free credit – totaling US$10 million.
