MONTREAL – Bell has donated $250,000 to the Humanitarian Coalition for its famine relief efforts in East Africa.
The Humanitarian Coalition’s members – CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada – have warned that immediate action is required “to prevent loss of life on a massive scale”.
Bell said Friday that in addition to “extensive” coverage by CTV News, its broader contribution includes a multi-platform public service announcement campaign that kicks off next week across all of its media properties, from television to radio to on-line. It has also posted direct links on its internal websites to encourage employee donations.
"With the United Nations declaration of a famine in East Africa, there is a need for fast action to prevent a catastrophe," said David Wells, Bell’s EVP of corporate services, in a statement. "The Bell team has been touched by the scale of the humanitarian disaster unfolding before us. We are eager to assist the work of the Humanitarian Coalition and urge Canadians to join the almost 60,000 team members at Bell Canada, Bell Media and The Source in supporting aid to the drought stricken region."
The Humanitarian Coalition said that Bell’s funds will go directly to providing clean drinking water, food for malnourished children, shelter, and medical attention to the approximately 11 million people impacted by the drought in East Africa.
