Telenor Pakistan develops Emergency Response Program

Country: Pakistan
Topic: Enable and Social
Last updated: 03 January 2013

Company volunteers from across the country come alive in times of need to provide support during natural disasters.

In order to respond immediately and effectively to emergencies or disasters that may occur in Pakistan, Telenor Pakistan launched an Emergency Response Program in 2005. Regional volunteer teams (consisting of Telenor Pakistan employees) have been trained to extend support and timely intervention if and when needed, free of charge.

Telenor Pakistan delivers on its promise to help Pakistan

“At Telenor Pakistan we take helping people to the next level. With volunteer teams in all regions who are mobilized during a crisis, Telenor Pakistan’s has consistently delivered on its promise to help Pakistan. We inspire stakeholders and customers to give back to the communities we work in, especially when we need it most,” said Anjum Rahman, Director Corporate Communications & Responsibility, Telenor Pakistan.

Telenor Pakistan volunteer teams typically respond to emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, air/rail/road accidents, etc. Corporate Responsibility ensures full support to the volunteers, providing them all necessary information and assistance required to make their volunteer experience as rewarding as possible.

Food on the table means Asif goes to school

8 year old Asif from Rojhan, Rajanpur District Punjab has the confidence of an adult. Accompanied by his uncle, he was representing his family at the first distribution camp setup by Telenor Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to provide food relief to more than 4,800 families in disaster hit areas of Southern Punjab, Northern Sindh and Southern Baluchistan provinces.

Asif is amongst the 5 million citizens affected by the 2012 Monsoon floods in Pakistan. Although his father’s new found job at a road-side food stall is not enough to support the needs of his mother and four siblings, fortunately enough, Asif still manages to go to school! The floods mercilessly destroyed the school building, but a makeshift arrangement hosts the education needs of the likes of Asif and his four brothers and sisters.

In a state where survival is the primary concern for families, Asif’s ability to go to school is rather surprising. When asked why he didn’t work to augment the income of his father, which is typically considered acceptable in underprivileged families, Asif revealed that relief activities such as this ensure that food is available for the entire family, hence allowing him the ‘luxury’ of continuing education. 8 year old Asif, who aspires to become a math’s teacher one day, inadvertently pointed to the impact that a bag of food items can have on the lives of families. Five children of his household go to school because there is food on the table, and Telenor Pakistan is proud to have helped!

Working with NGOs to determine what’s needed following a disaster

In times of disaster, Telenor Pakistan’s Corporate Responsibility is at the forefront liaising with NGOs and disaster response teams in order to gauge needs and provide assistance accordingly. Telenor Pakistan also identifies potential partner organizations that they can donate funds to in order to expedite rescue and relief efforts.

Employee safety is top priority

When it comes to employee volunteers, security is foremost and Telenor Pakistan does not involve employees in unsupervised, critical emergency procedures. CR, Regional Sales & Distribution teams, nearby franchisees and employees, regional volunteers and Safety & Security all take measures to ensure that volunteer teams:

move into the affected area
align with emergency teams on-site
set up an alternate mode of communication
arrange to provide high-energy food items
medication
blood donations (when required)

Providing aid for Attabad landslide victims

In addition to employee volunteerism, Telenor Pakistan donated Rs. 2 million to augment the Government’s efforts to help those affected by the Attabad Landslide Disaster 2010. Telenor also partnered with Radio Pakistan and provided mobile handsets, pre-paid voice and data connections, air-time and EDGE sticks to support their FM-93 station established for emergency communications to facilitate the people of Hunza valley.

Telenor Pakistan takes action following the 2010 flooding disaster

During the recent Flooding Disaster 2010, Telenor Pakistan employees demonstrated an overwhelming spirit of volunteerism. Corporate Responsibility assisted in providing up-to-date information/contact details to interested volunteers on needs and requirements in the flood-affected areas. Telenor Pakistan also arranged for employees to volunteer their time to distribute food and non-food items in Charsadda/Nowshera, along with Pakistan Red Crescent Society.

Sales & Distribution teams rallied together to raise funds and reach out to the flood victims. Everyone pitched in to purchase, pack, load, and distribute the relief goods.