Telecom firms initiate relief efforts for IDPs

ISLAMABAD ( MEDIA )

The telecom companies working in the country have started extending assistance and carrying out relief efforts for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from North Waziristan Agency (NWA).

Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) is reaching out to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from NWA by providing support through delivery of relief goods and medical facilities to the affected people.

In this connection, the company has arranged to distribute food items among the affected people in close collaboration with the concerned authorities.  The company has also set up two medical camps where on-spot medical care and medicines are being provided to the IDPs and their families.

All these activities are being supervised by the PTCL volunteer teams who are coordinating and carrying out the relief operations in liaison with the district administration officials.

Besides preparing to provide relief goods, China Mobile Pakistan, Zong is facilitating the IDPs to get Rs 7000 per month through mobile Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) and  to ensure transparent, quick and speedy financial relief to them.

A Spokesman of FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDA) has said as per understanding with Zong, free SIMs will be provided to registered IDPs for disbursement of monthly cash compensation for procurement of food items. He said it was the landmark decision taken to address the financial problems of IDPs besides saving their times and money. Similarly, Omar Manzur, Head of Corporate Communication at Mobilink said teams are busy ensuring assistance to IDPs. He said Mobilink Foundation will provide more than 8,000 affected families with food supplies which will be transported soon.