Cable & Wireless providing storm relief for region

19.SEPT.08

Cable & Wireless Caribbean announced this week that it would be supporting the region to the tune of more than US$500,000 in cash and services to assist victims of the recent hurricanes and tropical storms that affected the region.{{more}}

The company is immediately establishing a relief fund of US$250,000 to assist with aspects of restoration in the Caribbean territories that have been affected by Tropical Storm Gustav and Hurricanes Ike and Hanna. In addition, the company is providing free calling minutes and other assistance to many of its customers.

In Jamaica, before, during and immediately after the passage of Tropic Storm Gustav, mobile customers were given between 25 to 50 percent additional calling time, each time they topped up.

In Turks and Caicos, the cost of all mobile calls is significantly reduced until 12 a.m. September 14, and the company is providing special outlets for customers to re-charge and top up their phones.

In addition, where needed, Cable & Wireless has been actively relaying vital information to all customers and the general public via text messages, voicemail blasts and paid radio announcements.

The company will also set up avenues through which its employees across the group, who have been seeking ways to assist, can contribute to the relief effort. The collection drive among employees will include cash, foodstuff, and personal care items.

In announcing the establishment of the fund, Richard Dodd, CEO of Cable & Wireless Caribbean, said: “Cable & Wireless has been part of the Caribbean and its people for more than 100 years, with more than 98 percent of our employees being Caribbean nationals. So for us, any disaster in the region becomes personal.

We regret the loss of lives and the terrible dislocation that has occurred over the past two weeks, and it is our hope that the period of restoration will not be protracted.”

“As a company, we accept that we have a responsibility to assist wherever we can, especially at times like these, and I wish to applaud our employees across the group who have already been assisting the relief efforts in Jamaica and in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In the case of the latter that has been particularly badly affected, we are preparing to assist those employees impacted and we have sent in regional teams to ensure affected services are repaired expeditiously.”