Cable & Wireless donates to the National Emergency Disaster Fund

In line with its commitment towards supporting the local communities and responding to their needs, Cable & Wireless has donated a SR100, 000 to the National Emergency Disaster Fund, which was set up to help with the rehabilitation process following the tidal waves and torrential rains that hit the country late last month.

Backed by over one hundred years of experience in the Seychelles, Cable & Wireless has placed great importance on delivering effective and reliable communications, especially when it is really needed. This was evident on Sunday the 26th of December when the waves hit the Seychelles as well as the torrential rains later in the same week.

Its services remained fully operational throughout Sunday the 26th of December and team members were on callout to ensure that there were minimum disruptions at a time of national emergency. The national emergency number (999), and the fixed line contacts for the Police and the Ambulance Service, all serviced by Cable & Wireless, were working trouble free.

The vital Bon Espoir station, which is the nerve centre for the communications needs of the Coast Guard, played a pivotal role in sending Security Alerts to the vessels in the vicinity and to the outer islands informing them of the situation. This quick and efficient response to the disaster helped avoid further potential damage and loss.

Usman Saadat, Chief Executive Officer said: "We want to make a difference and the donation is just one of the means by which we are contributing to serving our community. In addition, the damage to Maldives infrastructure has also been catastrophic and the country needs urgent support – Cable & Wireless in the UK is also providing significant funds to the relief agencies there.

I would like to commend the extraordinary efforts of my staff involved in ensuring continuation of services and prevention of flooding at key network points. Cable & Wireless is providing all the practical support we can. As many of our colleagues have suffered damage to their homes and their neighbourhoods, we provided them with temporary accommodation and also established a relief fund within the company to assist our employees."