Red Cross and Vodacom partner to help victims

Vodacom today launched a Vodacom Red Alert (International) campaign which enables Vodacom subscribers to join Vodacom's R500 000 contribution with their own contributions of R10 per sms. This can be done by sending an SMS with the word 'GIVE' to 38207or by dialling *120*4483# and follow the prompts.

Vodacom Red Alert is a technology-based platform through which Vodacom customers can respond to the plight of those impacted by a natural disaster.

In addition to the outright donation, the costs usually recovered from the customer contribution are waived in the case of Vodacom Red Alert contributions. This means that the full amount donated by customers is channelled to victims through the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS).

According to Mr Mthobi Tyamzashe, Vodacom's Executive Director: Corporate Social Investment, "This is part of Vodacom's way of enabling our subscribers to jointly express their support to the victims. We are pleased to once again be able to do this with the SA Red Cross Society".

In welcoming the Vodacom Red Alert, the General Secretary of SARCS, Ms Mandisa Kalako-Williams, said: "The South African Red Cross welcomes the opportunity to channel the kind donations of South Africans to assist the people of Japan, and are appreciative of the partnership with Vodacom through the Red Alert funds, which are bound to make a difference in the lives of Japanese people whose lives have been adversely affected by the recent earthquake and Tsunami.

"We specifically appreciate the fact that, while grappling with the impact of our own recent flooding, South Africans have been moved by the plight of people in Japan, enough to want to contribute towards the relief of their suffering."

This is the third occasion on which Vodacom has responded to a disaster through a Vodacom Red Alert. The first was the Haiti earthquake in January 2010. This was followed by a response to the floods in South Africa in January 2011.

Cash donations can be channelled to the account number below:

Account Name                        The South African Red Cross Society
Bank                                         Standard Bank
Account number                     250 180 944
Branch Name                         Jacobs
Branch number                       043 326
Swift Code                               SBZAZAJJ