BET Networks Preps Haiti Benefit Concert

NEW YORK: BET Networks, along with Queen Latifah, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Pharrell, is to host a televised concert and celebrity telethon aimed at supporting several organizations that are providing relief to Haiti.

The two-hour telecast concert, SOS Saving OurSelves: Help for Haiti, will be held at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, in partnership with Procter & Gamble and Pepsi. The concert will be aired on BET and Centric, as well as MTV Networks’ MTV and VH1, on February 5 at 8 p.m. It will also be streamed live on bet.com. Proceeds go directly to charitable organizations such as

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Yele Haiti, CARE, Project Medishare and Children’s Safe Drinking Water. In addition to musical performances, the event will feature celebrities from the worlds of music and entertainment answering the phones during the telethon.

"Words fail to describe the sadness we feel for our brothers and sisters in Haiti," said Debra Lee, the chairman and CEO of BET Networks. "There is so much work to do, so we must keep the focus on Haiti and we must continue to give. This telethon will give everyone another opportunity to make a difference through the efforts of these amazing organizations that are working hard to rebuild Haiti."

Sean "Diddy" Combs added: "Words cannot express how I felt watching the catastrophic events unfold in Haiti. I believe it is our duty to come together and help our brothers and sisters in Haiti, especially now, in their greatest hour of need. I have joined forces with Queen Latifah, Pharrell, BET and several of the biggest names in music today to raise funds for the Haiti Relief efforts. Together we can make a difference."

Pharrell commented: "The devastation that has occurred in Haiti has broken my heart. My hope is that we can raise enough money to sustain a few of the relief organizations for quite some time as there is a lot of work to be done over there. The goal is not only to bring immediate relief to Haiti but to also rebuild the country and help the country move forward."

"P&G and our non-profit Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program are proud to partner with Queen Latifah, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Pharrell, and BET to support Haiti," said Greg Allgood, the director of the P&G not-for-profit Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program. "Having recently returned from Haiti, I can tell you that Haitians are working hard to recover and rebuild their country – they want and need our support to respond to this tragedy."

"We have all been profoundly affected by the suffering in Haiti, while being moved by the faith and optimism of the Haitian people," said Frank Cooper, the chief consumer engagement officer at PepsiCo Americas Beverages. "Now is the time for action, for raising awareness and inspiring people to give to Haiti. We’re honored to join Queen Latifah, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Pharrell and BET in support of this special event."