.gif)
.gif)
1.gif)
13 January, 2009
Vodafone Fiji today announced a Flood Relief package worth more than $3.75million in cash and kind.
The Managing Director of Vodafone Fiji, Mr. Aslam Khan made the announcement after a meeting with his staff on how best to help the thousands of people affected by what is being described as the worst floods to hit Fiji in a long time.
“At times like these communications become a vital element in search and rescue efforts. Families are often cut off from communications with their loved ones in other parts of Fiji and the world as they desperately seek information about their whereabouts. Just hearing from them and being assured of their safety and security means a lot in such times of emergency.
“Furthermore, information on logistics and the needs of the population needs to collected, and sent or received within hours or days of an emergency so accurate assessments and relief work can be carried out”, Khan said.
“Understanding this very real need, Vodafone Fiji has made a decision to top up all our customers’ mobile numbers with $5 worth of free talk-time by tomorrow (Wednesday 14th). This includes post-pay, as well as pre-pay customers in all parts of the country. We realize that our customers in non-affected areas will want to be in touch with loved ones in the West, North, Tailevu and other flooded parts of the country, to find out about their safety and well being. We believe we can facilitate that communication through the provision of free talktime to provide families a means to contact their loved ones. This is why we decided to assist each and every one of our customers regardless of their location,” he added.
“Besides connecting families, Vodafone is also helping to ensure that Assessment Teams in stricken areas are connected to their respective Team Leaders and Operation Centers so that quick assessment of damaged areas is conducted to facilitate relief assistance as soon as the floods have receded. We learnt from past disasters that these teams need to be in touch with each other constantly, so we will be enabling communications for each team through the provision of free mobile communications” Khan said.
“Acting on advice from DISMAC, we got in touch with the Commissioners Northern, Eastern and Western who each head assessment teams in their respective areas to facilitate this free communication. We know that this will go a long way toward achieving better coordination in the field which will mean that aid will get to affected families faster and in an organized manner.”
“It is sad that most of the affected areas are also without water and power supplies. This has also affected our communication links in some parts of the Western Division. While restoring FEA power in Nadi and Ba may take some time, Vodafone engineers will be setting up small generators at the bigger evacuation centers and other convenient locations in these towns to provide power outlets for mobile phones owners to charge their phones so that they are able to stay in contact with DISMAC and their loved ones.”
“While all this is happening we are very aware that for many families, replacing school supplies will be very high on their list of immediate needs with schools to reopen soon. To this end, we have put in motion a fund-raising appeal in conjunction with the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited that we hope will raise a good sum of money with the help of the general public. We are appealing to members of the public to donate generously by sending one or more texts with the word “HOPE” to 365. Each text will cost 99cents and each text received from private subscribers will be matched dollar for dollar by Vodafone up to a maximum of $100, 000 to be used for care packs and educational assistance.”
“Vodafone globally has always played a part in relief efforts during disasters and we, as a company owned by the people of Fiji want to do what we can for our people,” Khan said.
“We take this opportunity to convey our sincere sympathies to all the families who lost their loved ones or their belongings in this tragic natural disaster.”
About Vodafone Fiji:
Vodafone Fiji Limited is part of Vodafone Group Plc, a leading mobile communications company with over 270 million proportionate customers worldwide. Vodafone Fiji which is a partnership with ATH Group and provides mobile telecommunications services to 650,000 Fiji customers. Vodafone is the number one mobile network in Fiji .The global company has equity interests in 26 countries and partner networks in a further 33 countries, the largest global footprint.