Asiacell, Named As Joint Recipients Of 2017 GSMA Award For Outstanding Contribution To The Mobile Industry

Asiacell and four Operator Groups Recognized for Exceptional Efforts in Supporting Syrian Refugees

Sulaymanya, Kurdistan-Iraq ;27 February 2017: Today at Mobile World Congress, the GSMA announced that Asiacell along with four other telecommunications companies are the winners of the GSMA’s “Outstanding Contribution to the Mobile Industry Award” for 2017. The joint honorees were recognized for their work in supporting millions of Syrian refugees who have been displaced by the conflict in their home country. The award was presented to the five operators at a special ceremony presented by the King of Spain Felipe VI.

“On behalf of the Asiacell family, I congratulate all Asiacell staff for this prestigious award and thank them for their sincere efforts in supporting Syrian refugees through our CSR program Basma” said Faruk Mustafa Rasool, Asiacell Chairman.

It is worth mentioning that Asiacell has carried out strategic projects for Iraqi IDPs in governorates of Baghdad, Anbar, Nineveh, Erbil, Sulaimani and given a helping hand to them in terms of providing them, among other things, with basic needs such as food stuffs, water desalination plants and clothing for children.

“Asiacell and during the last years has set programs to rescue and support our Iraqi IDPs and the Syrian refugees in Iraq and has partnered with many international NGOs, relief agencies and suppliers to facilitate and ease their living condition in the refugee camps.” Rasool added.

Asiacell initiatives to support the refugees and internally displaced peoples in Iraq can mainly be briefed as below.

The establishment of dedicated call center in Sulaymanya, Iraq  providing legal assistance, human rights guidance, community advice and emergency response.

Asiacell deployed infrastructure, including instant networks, to enable connectivity in the refugee camps in Iraq and providing 3G broadband in some of the larger camps.

Asiacell has utilized customized programs for services such as education, locating and reuniting families, and content provision services.

Asiacell has provided toll-free services, SIM cards, short codes and devices.

Participating in establishing technology based solutions for education inside the camps.

Providing food, drink, household goods and urgent relief to the refugees fled from war.

The most prestigious accolade in the GSMA’s annual Global Mobile (Glomo) Awards, the “Outstanding Contribution to the Mobile Industry Award” recognises outstanding achievement in the mobile industry.