2,489 vulnerable people in east Ukraine received free talk time.
In April 2020, Vodafone Ukraine and UNHCR agreed to cooperate and support conflict-affected persons in east Ukraine by providing them with free mobile phone credit. Based on the data provided by UNHCR, Vodafone Ukraine made available free talk time to 2,489 people suffering from the effects of armed conflict and restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Ukraine. This will allow people, especially those whose mobility is limited, to stay connected without further depleting their limited resources.
Since April 24, 2,489 people living in isolated villages along the contact line in the east of Ukraine have received 1000 free minutes within Ukraine or a monthly package of services (unlimited calls within Vodafone Ukraine and 500 Mb of Internet).
The protracted nature of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine has led to a widespread humanitarian crisis, with 3.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in the seventh year of hostilities. The introduction of quarantine measures to overcome the spread of Covid-19 has created new challenges.
A recent report published by UNHCR on the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on 119 isolated villages near the contact line in Donbas showed that around 51 lack access to markets, and 71 localities have no public transport functioning because of quarantine. Due access to credits (scratch cards) have become a challenge.
“During challenging times of coronavirus pandemic, it is very important to support the most vulnerable. In isolated villages, 41% of household members are over 60 years of age, 13% are persons with disabilities and many have chronic diseases. They very much depend on mobile phone communication particularly where there are no pharmacies, grocery shops or clinics. Also, for many, mobile communication currently is the only way to communicate with their doctors, government agencies, volunteer organizations, and most importantly, their families,” – said Pablo Mateu, UNHCR Representative in Ukraine.
“From the very beginning of quarantine measures’ introduction Vodafone Ukraine helps its customers to remain connected and provides charity initiatives. The general charges of the company made UAH 63 million for today. We provided free access to popular messengers, entertaining and educational services for all clients, gave physicians free connection and internet, spent UAH 33 million on lung ventilators and personal protective equipment for the hospitals of Ukraine, etc,” said Olga Ustynova, the CEO of Vodafone Ukraine. And added: “We are pleased to respond to UNHCR’s request and help residents of isolated villages to contact their physician in case of poor wellbeing and stay in touch with relatives.”
UNHCR Ukraine has been supporting the humanitarian efforts of the United Nations in east Ukraine through the provision of shelter repairs and non-food items as well as legal assistance and other forms of protection. Thanks to the protection monitoring conducted jointly with NGO partner organization Proliska, UNHCR identified the need for enhanced communication credit in the times of COVID-19.
The vast majority of residents in those settlements use the mobile services of Vodafone. Due to the lack of internet access, mobile account refill terminals and the ability to purchase a recharge card, people residing in isolated villages have great difficulty in depositing funds into their mobile phone accounts. Therefore, the management of Vodafone Ukraine has given people additional, free talk time during the period of quarantine.
Additional information:
Vodafone Group is one of the world’s leading telecoms and technology service providers. We have extensive experience in connectivity, convergence and the Internet of Things, as well as championing mobile financial services and digital transformation in emerging markets.
Vodafone Group has mobile operations in 23 countries, partners with mobile networks in 42 more, and fixed broadband operations in 18 markets. As of 31 December 2019, Vodafone Group had approximately 625 million mobile customers, 27 million fixed broadband customers and 22 million TV customers, including all of the customers in Vodafone’s joint ventures and associates. For more information, please visit: www.vodafone.com
Vodafone Ukraine is a leading mobile operator in Ukraine. The Company provides to its clients 3G and 4G based voice and data services that meet highest world standards. Its total investments in 3G and 4G coverage over the past 5 years exceeded 25 billion hryvnas (approx. $1 billion). To date, Vodafone provides 3G coverage for 86% of Ukraine’s residents, and 4G for more than 71% of Ukraine’s residents.
Record investments allowed to provide technological leadership and to develop new technological services – Internet of Things (IoT), technologies and solutions for Smart City, big data analytics, Mobile ID, Fintech services, cloud services. Vodafone has 19,8 million customers in Ukraine. More details on vodafone.ua
Vodafone press-service: [email protected], +380503108510.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. In Ukraine, UNHCR has been working since 1994 to protect the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons. Achievements include support to the development of national legislation relating to the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons. UNHCR Ukraine has contributed to an effective asylum system in Ukraine, and also provided humanitarian assistance.
Since 2014, UNHCR has been supporting the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian civil society in responding to the forced displacement of around 1.6 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Donbas in eastern Ukraine. UNHCR Ukraine provides legal, material and social assistance to them directly or in partnership with international and local organisations. UNHCR focuses its activities on strengthening IDP rights and freedoms, improving their living conditions and providing long-term solutions.
For additional information contact Victoria Andrievska: +380 50 413 8404, [email protected], https://www.unhcr.org/ua/en.
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