Doha: Ooredoo companies across the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia have launched a series of initiatives to support humanitarian efforts in Nepal after a devastating earthquake hit the Himalayan nation on April 25.
The Nepal earthquake has claimed thousands of casualties, with the death toll now rising to more than 7,000, and left a swath of damaged and demolished infrastructure across the nation.
Dr Nasser Marafih, Group CEO, Ooredoo, said: “At this tragic time, our thoughts are with the people of Nepal and all those affected. We hope that the world comes together to help rebuild the country and ensure its people are safe. Ooredoo recognises the importance of mobile communication during difficult times like these, and our companies are doing their best to provide this for people in Nepal and for their concerned relatives overseas.”
After news of the natural disaster broke, Ooredoo Maldives offered calls to Nepal for free for all its customers over three days. In Qatar and Oman, Ooredoo also lowered the cost of calls to Nepal, enabling expatriates to stay in touch with friends and family back home in the country.
Access to mobile communications is playing a key part in Nepal’s aid efforts and, with the help of mobile technology, families are being reconnected and reaching
out for help.
To ensure that Internet access is available for survivors and emergency aid services in Nepal, Indosat, part of Ooredoo Group, has mobilised a VSAT satellite that will travel to Nepal to provide an emergency Internet connection in the country.
The emergency Internet access facility will be used by the media, NGOs, and civilians in need, to report conditions on the ground and contact families.
The Internet capacity currently provided is available up to 1 Mbps by using the C-band frequency, and can be increased as required.
The Peninsula
