- Hormuud and REFUNITE commit to reconnecting separated families in Somalia
- Large-scale SMS campaigns, an SMS-based mobile app and a free help line will be made accessible
- The new mobile initiative will make it possible for anyone within Somalia to search for their missing loved ones through a mobile phone
Today, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Hormuud and tech-nonprofit Refugees United (REFUNITE) announced their commitment to reconnect separated families in Somalia with their missing loved ones. The Mobile World Congress is the world’s largest annual gathering of mobile industry executives held in Barcelona, Spain on March 2-5, 2015.
Two decades of civil war have had a devastating impact on the people of Somalia. Many have lost family members, friends, neighbours, as well as homes and livelihoods. In keeping with Hormuud’s corporate social responsibility commitments, forcibly displaced families within Somalia will be able to search for their missing loved ones for free, without access to the Internet, and through low-cost mobile phones. The family reconnection services are expected to be available in May 2015.
There are currently 1,080,788 refugees originating from Somalia and 1,133,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) according to the latest figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“REFUNITE leverages new and innovative technologies to reconnect thousands of families displaced by the Somali conflict. We believe everyone has the right to know where their family is,” says Christopher Mikkelsen, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of REFUNITE.
Ahmed Yusuf, CEO and Chairman of Hormuud Telecom, said: “We are extremely happy to be working with REFUNITE. This support, which could not be timelier, is a crucial step towards helping refugees from Somalia who have endured an extreme hardship resulting from the Somalia crisis, to get reconnected with their families. It is an important contribution to their dignity and human security.
“Helping the Somalia community has always been one of the key pillars of Hormuud’s philosophy. Hormuud has run a variety of community investment programs over the last 14 years fostering community health and stability by devoting a significant portion of its resources to helping Somali refugees, people with disabilities, the unemployed, and school children. Hormuud remains committed in helping mitigate the suffering of the Somali people, including women and children.”
The family reconnection service has already received recognition, and has been nominated for a Global Mobile Award at the Mobile World Congress in the category Best Use of Mobile in Emergency Situations.
How to Search
The service will be available to all Hormuud subscribers living in Somalia. The mobile version is expected to be available in April 2015. In the interim, anyone can access the online platform at www.refunite.org to begin the search for their missing friends and relatives.
About Hormuud
Hormuud Telecom Somalia Inc. (HORTEL) is a privately held telecommunications company based in Mogadishu, Somalia. It was established in April 2002. Visit www.hormuud.com
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 with REFUNITE, making it the biggest family reconnection platform for refugees globally. The platform is supported by a global coalition of mobile companies, including Hormuud. More info: www.refunite.org
Media Contact
Kalson Abdi, Campaign and Partnership Specialist, REFUNITE, ka@refunite.org, 254-723 495 671.
