• Asiacell, Ericsson and REFUNITE launch new mobile services to reconnect separated families in Iraq
• Internally displaced persons and refugees in Iraq can now search for missing loved ones through SMS on their mobile phones
• Partnership shortlisted for the Global Mobile Award 2015 for Best Use of Mobile in Emergency or Humanitarian Situations

This year’s Mobile World Congress marked a significant milestone for Asiacell, Ericsson and tech-nonprofit Refugees United (REFUNITE) as they launched a series of mobile services. The purpose of these services is to reconnect separated Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons within Iraq with their missing loved ones. The Mobile World Congress is the world’s largest annual gathering of mobile industry executives held every year in Barcelona, Spain on March 2-5, 2015.

According to a recent report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), continued violence in Syria has forced 254,000 refugees to cross into Iraq, while the escalating conflict within Iraq has forced more than one million people to become internally displaced people (IDPs).

“Through a simple SMS-driven service, the REFUNITE family tracing platform aims to help reconnect thousands of families displaced by the ongoing conflict in Iraq. We believe everyone has the right to know where their family is, and with the help of Asiacell and Ericsson we’ll work to ensure this human right in Iraq,” says Christopher Mikkelsen, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of REFUNITE.

“The increased numbers of internally displaced persons in Iraq coupled with the flow of refugees from neighboring Syria has exacerbated the humanitarian problem in Iraq. The demand for all types of support has quadrupled in the past four years; Asiacell will commit to extending its mobile services to help ease some of the problems. We want to help families torn apart by undesirable situations find their missing loved ones,” says Amer Sunna, Asiacell CEO. 

The family reconnection service has already received recognition, and was shortlisted for a Global Mobile Award at the Mobile World Congress in the category Best Use of Mobile in Emergency Situations.

“Information and Communications Technology can play a critical role in responding to conflict and disaster. Working in public-partnerships such as this one with Asiacell and REFUNITE, can demonstrate the positive impact of technology to help alleviate humanitarian challenges like the refugee crisis around the globe,” says Mohamad Dergham, President Ericsson North Middle East.

How to search

The service is available to all Asiacell subscribers living in Iraq. To begin the search for your missing friend or relative, send 1 via SMS to short code 380 or visit www.refunite.org.

About REFUNITE

Refugees United (REFUNITE) is a technology-based non-profit organization that connects families separated by war, conflict and disaster. More than 400,000 people have registered on REFUNITE, making it the largest family reconnection platform for refugees globally. The REFUNITE platform is supported by a global coalition of mobile companies, including Ericsson and Asiacell. More info visit: www.refunite.org

Media Contact
Kalson Abdi, Campaign and Partnership Specialist, REFUNITE, ka@refunite.org, +254 723 495 671.

Photo credit: Mustafa Khayat, Flickr