Globacom, Nigeria’s leading national telecoms operator, has launched an appeal to raise funds to support the rehabilitation of the unfortunate victims of the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti.
Described as one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent human history and more massive in repercussion than the Asian tsunami, the Haitian earthquake disaster has seen almost total destruction of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince and the loss of an estimated 200,000 lives.
Announcing the commencement of the fundraising programme in Lagos, Mr. Mohamed Jameel Globacom’s Group COO, said the appeal was being made in order to ensure that Nigerians have an opportunity to contribute their own quota to the salvage and rehabilitation effort being launched globally for the people of Haiti.
“This is a human disaster of almost unimaginable proportions and most Nigerians who are willing to help do not know how to contribute towards the relief effort. To this end, we have decided to launch this appeal by the creation of a short code through which Nigerians can make donations to help the Haitian people”, he said.
He said the company is calling on all Nigerians, especially its subscribers to make contributions of a minimum of N50 by sending the word HAITI to the short code 33090 which has been specially created for the purpose. Subscribers, however, are free to donate as many times as they wish to the relief effort by sending multiple SMS at the cost of N50 per SMS.
Jameel said that all donations made by Nigerians through the short code will be presented on a monthly basis on behalf of the Nigerian people to the Nigerian Red Cross which is already on ground in Haiti via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
He also gave the assurance that none of the proceeds will be withheld as the project is being undertaken on compassionate grounds and in line with Glo’s corporate responsibility obligations.
To indicate its seriousness and commitment, Jameel said Globacom has given support to an online campaign which will be run through the social networks such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter; while Classic 93.7 FM has committed to help raise awareness by giving free hypes and airtime.
“We urge all Nigerians to help build awareness for this campaign through their social networks while other radio and television networks in the country are also welcome to donate free airtime to create awareness for this effort”, he said.
Affirming its support for the project, Mrs. Joy Umealor, head of Administration, Nigerian Red Cross in a letter signed thanked Globacom for coming up with the unique initiative.
“We want to express our appreciation to your company for coming up with this initiative as the proceeds will be presented to the Red Cross at a media event towards assisting the unfortunate victims of the disaster. Thank you for partnering with us to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of this natural disaster”, she stated.
Jameel concluded by calling on all Nigerians to support the fundraising appeal by giving as much as they can afford through the simple process of using their phones to make donations to aid the people of Haiti who tragically, have lost so much including homes and loved ones
