Sunday, 17 January 2010 – Road Town, Tortola: Digicel BVI has joined the local Haitian community in rallying support for the victims of disaster-stricken Haiti in the aftermath of last Tuesday’s devastating 7.0 earthquake.

In addition to the $5 million cash donation announced by the Caribbean mobile phone company a day after the catastrophic event, each of the 32 markets in which the company operates also launched campaigns whereby subscribers could contribute to the Haitian relief effort. Subscribers in the BVI are encouraged to call or text the word “HELP” to 5151 where $1 will be automatically deducted from their account. All donations go directly to the Haitian relief effort.

On Saturday, Digicel BVI’s Operations & Maintenance Engineer Rodney Beharry handed over several boxes of non perishable food items to the Haitian Association as part of a territory-wide effort organized by the Haitian Association. The association has collaborated with another BVI organization - Women of Power – to solicit contributions from the wider public to send to earthquake victims in Haiti. The first project saw volunteers collecting over 150 boxes of goods during a day-long event at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park in Road Town on January 16^th.

Digicel’s acting Country Manager Gerry Ryan said the supplies were donated from the company’s hurricane supplies. The items included crackers, sardines, tuna, corned beef, canned soup and milk.

“Digicel was quick to respond to the relief efforts for Haiti, not only because we have over 2 million customers and close to 900 staff members there, but because of the natural feeling of empathy which we all have as human beings when such a disaster occurs,” Ryan stated. “Our efforts continue from the level of our Chairman Denis O’Brien to local efforts on the ground here in the BVI, as we coordinate to fly technical teams and relief supplies into Haiti. We express our condolences to those who have lost relatives and friends as a result of the earthquake and hope that all of the relief efforts will positively impact those suffering in Haiti.”

The Digicel Country Manager said further announcements will be made regarding Digicel’s efforts to provide more assistance to the people of Haiti and how people in the BVI can help.

ABOUT DIGICEL GROUP

After eight years of operation, Digicel has 8.8 million customers across its Caribbean and Central American markets and 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 – the company is also a recent entrant to the Central American and Pacific markets.

Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and now has operations in 32 markets world-wide. Its Caribbean and Central American markets comprise Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Panama, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Turks & Caicos. The Caribbean company also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barths. Digicel Pacific comprises Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.

In total, across its 32 markets, Digicel has 10.3 million subscribers.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean and Central American sports teams, including the West Indies Cricket Team and Special Olympics teams throughout the region. Digicel is also title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Championships and the Copa de Naciones Digicel, which are the Caribbean and Central American qualifiers to the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Visit www.digicelgroup.com  for more information on Digicel.

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