Globacom solicits support for Haiti quake victims

Leading national telecoms operator, Globacom Limited, is soliciting aids for the earthquake victims in Haiti.

Management of Globacom, weekend disclosed that the need to assist victims through the raising of funds for rehabilitation of victims occasioned by the recent earthquake in Haiti gave rise to the quest.

Affirming the commencement of the fundraising programme in Lagos, Glo’s Group Chief Operating Officer (GCOO), Mr. Mohamed Jameel noted that the Haiti quake was described as one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent human history and more massive in repercussion than the Asian Tsunami.

He pointed out that the Haitian earthquake disaster has seen near total destruction of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince and the loss of an estimated 200,000 lives.

Jameel 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,” he said.

Hence, Glo decided to launch this appeal by creation of a short code through which Nigerians could make donations to help the Haitian people.

The company, he said, urged Nigerians, especially subscribers on Glo network 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.

He pointed out 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).

Assuring 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, he said, that Globacom has given support to an online campaign which will 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.

Head, Administration at the Nigerian Red Cross, Mrs Joy Umealor, in a letter, expressed appreciation on the concerns of the operator 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 asserted.


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