Technology & IT | Monday 9 March, 2015 12:51 pm |

Etisalat Group today announced it has joined with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) and Refugees United (REFUNITE) to commit to helping thousands of refugees and internally displaced people reconnect through mobile services.

A recent commitment ceremony in Dubai marked the official launch of The Family Reconnection Project in South and Central Asia. The CEOs of Ericsson, REFUNITE and Etisalat pledged to reconnect families uprooted and torn apart. Several new family reconnection services will be launched in Pakistan and Afghanistan on April 1st 2015, including a free mobile application, a free helpline, and a free SMS notification service.

Starting on April 1st 2015, separated families in Afghanistan and Pakistan will be able to reconnect with missing loved ones through a free mobile application and helpline. Large-scale SMS campaigns will be launched in conflict zones, refugee camps and tent cities to generate awareness.
According to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, more than 51 million people have been displaced – the worst displacement crisis since World War II. In Pakistan and Afghanistan almost 2 million people have become internally displaced as a result of recent conflict. As conflicts mount, families become separated. Lack of access to the Internet, coupled with a breakdown of traditional media channels, makes it nearly impossible for families to find each other and reconnect.

Etisalat Group CEO, Ahmad Julfar says: "The current level of displacement in Pakistan and Afghanistan requires the urgent mobilization of humanitarian assistance in those two countries. Etisalat is proud to partner with REFUNITE and Ericsson to leverage its own technology to ease the suffering of refugees at times of their greatest need. This initiative adds to Etisalat’s humanitarian commitment to support the most vulnerable people."

Christopher Mikkelsen, Co-founder and Co-CEO of REFUNITE, says: "Afghanistan and Pakistan have for decades been marked by conflict and the ensuing displacement this cause. Being separated from family, and the uncertainty of the fate of your loved ones, is one of the most distressing things any human being can go through. We at REFUNITE are tremendously excited to help alleviate this suffering with Etisalat and Ericsson."

Hans Vestberg, President and CEO, Ericsson, says: “Over time we have seen as we get scale and more and more people register on the platform, the more actual reconnections are made. Afghanistan and Pakistan are countries with real needs for this service, and we are grateful that Etisalat will join us on our 2015 journey to get 1 million onto the platform.” According to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, Pakistan alone hosts the largest protracted refugee population globally, with more than 1.6 million refugees. Conflict and fighting in Pakistan has resulted in more than an additional 1.2 million people becoming internally displaced. Afghanistan is home to more than 143,000 refugees, while some 683,000 are living as internally displaced people inside Afghanistan.

Nearly 400,000 refugees and internally displaced people have registered with www.refunite.org since the official launch in 2008, making it the biggest global platform for missing persons. As the lead technology partner, Ericsson is helping to develop the platform, while Etisalat will create free access to the service in Pakistan and Afghanistan. During 2015, Etisalat will open a free hotline for the illiterate, where separated families can ask questions and register through the phone. They will also launch large-scale awareness campaigns in conflict zones, refugee camps, tent cities and areas with internally displaced people.
Etisalat will be joining a coalition of mobile companies who are working to make the REFUNITE family reconnection services available in Africa and the Middle East.