Johannesburg - MTN Group today invited its over 219 million customers
across Africa and the Middle East to join hands with the company in a
3-month campaign, starting 1 December, to raise funds for a "United
Against Ebola" initiative.
In response an appeal from the African Union (AU), MTN and other
leading companies in Africa committed logistical support and in kind
contributions as part of the first wave of pledges at a recent Africa
Business Roundtable hosted by the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The
companies also agreed to leverage their resources and capacity to help
galvanise citizen action around a "United Against Ebola" campaign, and
to provide individuals across Africa and globally with an opportunity
to contribute.
As part of its pledge, MTN has committed US$10 million and is now
inviting customers to participate in an SMS campaign to donate a
minimum of US$1. MTN is also working with some of Africa's most
celebrated musicians to produce an inspirational song for digital
download on its MTN Play store. All proceeds from sales, post
publishing rights and subscription payments, will be donated to the AU
campaign.
MTN has been an integral part of efforts to tackle the spread of Ebola
in countries where the company operates, with special emphasis on
Guinea-Conakry and Liberia.
"MTN is supporting this campaign to give further impetus to concerted
efforts aimed at combating the Ebola epidemic and saving lives. As
MTN, we believe the only way to start reversing the devastating
effects of the outbreak is to come together to tackle the spread of
the disease, and ease the suffering it continues to inflict on
families and communities," says Sifiso Dabengwa, MTN Group President
and CEO.
In affected countries where MTN operates such as Guinea Conakry and
Liberia, MTN is working closely with authorities to curb the spread of
the disease. MTN has set up a number of interventions to assist staff,
their families and communities.
Some of the measures include distributing information about the
disease, its transmission and preventative measures. Working with
International SOS, MTN has set up a website where staff can access
up-to-date information on the disease and its management. As part of
this partnership, a medical response team has been set up to offer
advice and referral to medical care, if required.
In Liberia, for example, MTN has implemented a robust business
continuity programme to, among other things, keep the network
operational. Health measures taken include enhanced cleaning of office
premises, with particular focus on bathrooms and toilets. MTN is also
issuing personal protective equipment and clothing to employees who
are either field or frontline staff, such as those in stores and
service centres.
Other measures include the sanitisation of vehicles and establishment
of a work from home solution for staff whose jobs permit. MTN has also
advanced salaries to employees, so that they can stock up on supplies.
MTN has also established an SMS short code to facilitate enhanced
internal communication with personnel.
MTN Liberia staff also has access to two dedicated medical doctors and
medical facilities. And in line with an intervention aimed at helping
local communities, MTN has established a crisis call centre with
authorities on the ground, as part of a collaborative response with
the Liberian government to help minimise the impact of the disease.
About the MTN Group
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator,
connecting subscribers in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle
East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South
Africa under the share code: "MTN." As of 30 September 2014, MTN
recorded 219,2 million subscribers across its operations in
Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana,
Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of
Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan,
Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. Visit us at,
www.mtnbusiness.com, www.mtn.com and www.mtnmmo.com
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