Red Alert
Vodafone Red Alert: Technology-Enabled Giving
Vodafone Ghana, the fastest-growing telecommunications company in Ghana, has initiated a programme to assist government and disaster management organisations in the country to ease the plight of victims of the recent floods and address other issues relating to flooding in the country.
The initiative, known as Red Alert, is powered by the Vodafone Ghana Foundation. Red Alert is an emergency SMS fundraising programme that enables customers to donate via SMS in response to disasters and emergencies.
Vodafone was moved by the recent deaths and harrowing experiences of the flood victims in certain parts of the country leading to countless loss of property. About 30 people are estimated to have lost their lives during the recent floods in Greater Accra and the Central Regions. In August 2007, 24 people died with about 257,000 displaced and rendered homeless in floods that hit the three Northern Regions.
Vodafone may not be able to rebuild all the houses that are damaged through the floods, but the little help you offer with Vodafone’s support will help bring back joy and hope to their lives.
The main aim of the Vodafone Foundation is to use this facility to develop partnerships which enhance long term disaster response and readiness. Similar partnerships exist with organisations such as the United Nations Foundation, Telecoms Sans Frontieres, and the UN World Food Programme. It also seeks, wherever possible, to make a direct contribution in response to critical humanitarian crises providing immediate funds for use by the humanitarian agencies.
Dynamics of Red Alert
Vodafone Ghana does NOT charge for the service. The money raised from this effort together with a donation by the Foundation will be used to support victims of the flood and any other natural disaster.
Within the Red Alert platform, the Vodafone Ghana Foundation will give everyone the opportunity to offer help to persons disadvantaged by the floods. Red Alert, powered by Vodafone short code 133, allows customers of Vodafone to donate GHC1 each time they text the word “HELP” to the short code 133. Proceeds from the texts will be donated after tax.
Funds generated from public support through the Red Alert platform will be topped up by the Vodafone Ghana Foundation to meet efforts of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO).
Vodafone Group is supporting NADMO and the victims with £10,000.00 (GHC21, 926.00) as its contribution to the Initiative.
Other Red Alert Operational Areas
Red Alert is also programmed for activation in Albania, Australia, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Fiji, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Turkey and the UK.
During the recent earthquake in Haiti, the power of SMS fundraising technology was used to raise huge sums in a short space of time. Similar Red Alerts have helped bring smiles back to the faces of victims.
Vodafone believes that even if we are unable to restore homes and properties that have been destroyed by the floods, together with well meaning individuals in Ghana, we can all help by donating just one Ghana cedi via SMS.
We are showing the way of how telecom companies can use their technology as a force for good and give back to the communities in which they do business. This is an opportune time for all other organisations to offer assistance to the people who need it in such critical times.
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