The employees of Caribbean Airlines joined the growing charitable efforts in Trinidad and Tobago to raise money for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti which tragically struck the country on 12 January 2010. CAL employees heeded the call and gathered in solidarity for their Caribbean neighbors by donating 13,750 dollars to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Caribbean Regional Representation Office in just under a week. Capacity Building officer of the organisation Marylee Ellis explained that the response from the CAL employees proved that every contribution, no matter how small, was important.

On the 13 January 2010, Caribbean Airlines Corporate Communications department issued an internal call to employees to donate whatever cash they could to the cause. Laura Asbjornsen Head of Corporate Communications explained that the airline was in close contact with the IFRC at the end of 2009 to discuss various employee charity programmes with the organisation. “Unfortunately it took a tragedy in our backyard to grow the Caribbean Airlines’ relationship with an organisation like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. We want to work consistently with the Caribbean Regional Representation office and this is just one of the ways that we can contribute”.

Caribbean Airlines employees also took the time to pray for those still suffering in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. Yesterday, the company held an inter-faith service at its head office on Golden Grove Road in Piarco. Representatives from the Christian, Muslim and Hindu faiths were present, as staff offered their prayers for those affected by the natural disaster.

The airline advises that those wishing to donate can do so online via the web http://donate.ifrc.org. The website also contains real time updates and stories from volunteers on the ground in Haiti. Visit www.ifrc.org for more details.