Digicel says thanks for the amazing support for its Haiti relief efforts

No. 55 Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Digicel Jamaica's CEO, Mark Linehan, recently commended media houses, members of the entertainment community, customers, suppliers. and sports personalities for their amazing support of Digicel's efforts to raise much needed funds for the people of Haiti.

   Immediately after news of the earthquake in Haiti broke in Jamaica, Digicel received a huge number of phone calls and emails from media partners, customers, suppliers, sports personalities, artistes and other members of the music community offering their assistance in whatever way they could.
   Mark Linehan commented that, "It is heart warming to see how we have all been coming together as a nation to assist one of our neighbours in their time of need. It will take months, years for the people of Haiti to recover and start rebuilding their homes and lives and so every donation matters."
   The telecommunications company is extending its thanks to the RJR Communications Group, CYM Communications Group, Power 106 FM, The Gleaner and the Jamaica Observer for donating advertising spots; sports personalities such as Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser, and the Sunshine Girls; international and local artistes Shaggy, Freddie McGregor, Gody-Gody, Tifa, Chino, Ryan Mark and Konshens; and to media personalities such as Fae Ellington, Miss Kitty, Christopher 'Johnny' Daley and Ity & Fancy Cat.
   Mark Linehan also expressed thanks to International artistes Shaggy, Sean Paul and Sean Kingston; to local artistes Tessan Chyn, Etana; to regional artistes Alison Hinds, Belo, Shontelle Layne, Edwin Yearwood, Destra Garcia, David Rudder, Kes Dieffenthaller, The Emmanual Mass Choir, film director Jay Will, music producer Christopher Birch and camera/videographer Mark Kenny, for their selfless efforts in producing the newly released 'Rise Again' song and video that has now been dubbed, 'the post-quake anthem', by the New York Times.
   The company also expressed that a crucial part of the video was the Haiti footage that was provided by TVJ, as this had not only helped to complete the project, but also made it such a heart-warming video. "The song and the video have both been getting significant airplay in Jamaica and around the world and we have no doubt that it will raise a good amount for the people of Haiti", shared Mark Linehan.
   It was less than a month ago, on January 12 that a 7.0 earthquake left thousands of people in Haiti devastated, homeless and mourning the loss of loved ones. As the single largest foreign 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$800,OOO 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 in Haiti US$5 in free credit - totaling US$10 million - to ensure they could stay connected to family and friends.