The New Nation - Internet Edition

After successful completion of the first phase of the relief effort, Grameenphone Ltd. has initiated the second phase of its relief activities in the cyclone-affected areas.

On 6 December, Thursday, Grameenphone officials, along with members from the Management Team, distributed relief in Morelgong, Bagerhat. Mr. Emad UI Ameen, Director Human Resource, N.K.A Mobin, Director Administration and Project and Ms. Rubaba Dowla Matin, Deputy Director, Brands led the team.

In the second phase, which started in the first week of December, a total of 7000 family packs distributed, of which 3000 packs were distributed in Khulna and Barisal regions. The family pack contained 4 kg rice, 1 kg dal, 1 kg salt, 2 kg wheat/flour, liter oil, 6 candles, 1 tin/carton biscuits, and 1 kg chira. Keeping in mind that winter is approaching, a blanket and a saree/ lungi have been also included in the family packs.

Additionally, makeshift tents, made from Grameenphone's old billboard vinyl, were built and handed to 400 families in Barguna districts.

Grameenphone has also set up donation boxes in 50 Grameenphone Centers to collect donations from subscribers. The collection will continue till 20 December, 2007 and will later be donated to the Chief Advisor's Relief Fund.

Earlier, Grameenphone made a contribution of Tk. 1 crore to the Chief Adviser's relief fund. In addition, Telenor, the majority shareholder of Grameenphone, had donated another Tk. 2.3 crore and the GP employees contributed their one day's salary towards the relief effort.

Grameenphone has been actively involved in the emergency relief efforts for the recent cyclone affected people over the last few weeks. The first phase of the relief effort concluded in last week of November. During the first phase, total of 10,000 family packs were distributed and 7,000 patients were treated in 10 medical camps in different districts, namely, Madaripur, Patuakhali, Barguna, Pirojpur, Jhalokhati, Bagerhat, Gopalganj and Shariatpur.

The company also participated in the joint SMS donation campaign, launched in collaboration with other mobile operators, with each SMS adding Tk, 10 towards the relief effort. The entire amount collected from this collective SMS campaign will be donated to the Chief Adviser's Relief and Rehabilitation Fund.