Digicel, the largest mobile operator in the Caribbean and the fastest growing operator in Central America, has pledged over US$500,000 to hurricane recovery efforts in El Salvador in the wake of Hurricane Ida which caused widespread devastation across the country last weekend.

Digicel is contributing US$250,000 to purchase and distribute vital food and medical supplies.  The funds will be distributed through NGOs such as the Fundación Salvadoreña para la Salud y Desarrollo Humano (FUSAL), the Fundación para la Educación Social, Económica y Cultural (FUPEC) and the Salvadoran Red Cross.

The company is also contributing US$250,000 in mobile phones to the emergency services and call credit to people in affected areas, as well as providing its customers with free local and international calls on the Digicel network, so that Digicel customers can stay in touch with family and friends.

In addition, from November 11th to 15th, customers in the US who purchase Digicel top up for family and friends living in El Salvador will receive 100% extra free credit.

A text donation line has also been set up for customers in El Salvador who wish to make a donation towards the recovery effort. Every text sent to the donation line is worth US$0.50 which Digicel will pass on to FUPEC.

Colm Delves, Digicel Group CEO, comments: “As the fastest growing operator in Central America, we understand our responsibility to help out in times of need. Above and beyond our role in keeping friends and family connected, we are committed to helping people get back on their feet. Our employees have also been actively contributing to the recovery efforts this week with many of them joining rescue teams and I’d like to thank them for all of their hard work.”