Haitians can transfer money home free

Haitian Montrealers, who have been trying to help their families after the massive earthquake by sending money, can now do so free of charge.

Unitransfer Canada Inc., one of the main companies Haitians use to send money to relatives in their native country, is waiving fees for cash transfers.

The company has re-established a pickup service for money in a few locations around the capital Port-au-Prince, Pierre-Paul Gazemar, deputy manager of the Montreal North office, said Tuesday.

He told customers lined up outside his office that the fees would be waived until the business is fully operational again.

"We are doing our best to serve the people in Haiti," Gazemar said. "And we are doing that for free, presently."

Most of the people in the long line wanted to send cash to relatives and friends in Haiti so they could top up their cell phone accounts.

André Guerrier said his sister in Port-au-Prince has two cell phones — her own and one that belonged to her brother killed in the quake — but no money to buy precious airtime.

"We're not even able to get voice contact," he said. "But we can text; that's working."

Like many Haitians in Montreal, Guerrier often uses Unitransfer to send money home, but the quake made the system inoperable.

"Usually the transfer offices are in banks and in grocery stores. But, they've all been closed," he said.