ISLAMABAD: Telenor Pakistan has signed an agreement with its emergency response partner, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), to mitigate the impact of disasters through an SMS-based early warning system.
The agreement was signed by Michael Patrick Foley, the chief executive officer of Telenor Pakistan, and Mehboob Sardar, the secretary-general of PRCS, in the presence of Information Technology and Telecom Minister Anusha Rehman at the PRCS headquarters.
According to a statement, the project is a “flagship endeavour” designed to ensure preparedness and mitigation of a disaster through emergency response, emergency recovery, rehabilitation and development.
The project will allow aid agencies and mobile phone users in disaster-hit areas to interact in real-time through SMSs, creating much-needed timely communication flow.
The project is jointly funded by the International Federation of Red Crescent and Telenor Pakistan.
IT and Telecom Minister Rehman said on the occasion: “Unfortunately, Pakistan has seen recurring natural disasters in recent times. It is heartening to see that Telenor Pakistan and PRCS have again collaborated to develop a system utilising their core competencies to bring positive social change.
“This is true empowerment, as it will allow potential affectees to proactively save lives. Everyone can in fact become a helping hand.”
Mr Foley said: “Unlike traditional SMS services, which require broadcast messages to be delivered to every subscriber on a carrier’s network, this system allows PRCS to specify a particular region or even a neighbourhood to which text messages will be sent through mobile phones.
“The text messages will elicit response from mobile phone users in need of aid, giving them an effective voice on how assistance should be delivered.”
“After reviewing the impact of Beneficiary Communication in emergency situations in various parts of the world, we are hopeful that this first of its kind project in Pakistan can deliver effective aid in the form of information that facilitates the recovery of communities affected by disasters,” he said.
Dr Saud Elahi, the chairman of the PRCS, said, “One of the major challenges being faced by humanitarian organisations in natural disaster areas is the lack of early warning for affectees that can mitigate the effects and save many lives.”
Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2014