|
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Following last weeks appeal for aid for Hurricane ravished Haiti by the United Nations, Digicel has committed one million US dollars to support the relief efforts.
Much of Haiti was damaged following the passing of four major storms, two of them hurricanes.
Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves said the company would be doing everything it can to help the Haitian people rebuild their lives.
Digicel's commitment comprises $US 400,000 of aid support to Non Government Organisations, $US 400,000 of free minutes and other mobile services and a further $US 200,000 of direct aid distribution across Haiti.
These supplies will take the form of food containers and toiletries, kitchen, hygiene and medical kits and supplies and air transport for two water treatment plants.
Digicel employees will also be taking part in a blood donation scheme.
Meanwhile, Haiti is now facing a deepening food crisis after storms destroyed much of the impoverished country's rice crop. The storms killed hundreds of people and forced tens of thousands out of their homes. The city is the capital of the country's rice bowl, which suffered severe storm damage. One third of the country's 60,000-ton annual production of rice has been ruined by the floods. Farm tools, seeds to plant next year's crop, livestock that farmers live off and irrigation systems vital for rice production were also destroyed. The damage is all the more serious because it came at harvest time. The losses will be most keenly felt by the poorest farmers |
