Zain Group, the leading telecom innovator in 8 markets across the Middle East and Africa, has announced the publication of a thought-leadership report entitled Connecting Separated Families: Providing Hope Through Connectivity.

The study, detailing the inherent potential of a collaborative approach to using technology as a means to empower and liberate displaced people, is available in both Arabic and English, and was undertaken in collaboration with Refugees United (REFUNITE) and leading technology provider Ericsson.

The case study-based report focused on three key Zain markets where there are large numbers of displaced people: Jordan, South Sudan and Iraq, highlighting how displaced people, when given the necessary support, can take the search for missing loved ones into their own hands.

Zain Group CEO, Scott Gegenheimer said: “At a time when conflict has risen to an all-time high with devastating consequences, it is important that Zain, as a leading regional telecom provider, undertakes initiatives that are grounded in multi-stakeholder partnerships rooted in technology. This sets the foundation of improving societies from the ground up.”  He added: “The publication of our latest report in this area, sheds light on the problems, and tragedies that exist, and our joint efforts with REFUNITE and Ericsson to alleviate them.”

Elaine Weidman-Grunewald, Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility at Ericsson, said: “The Family Reconnection Project has the power to transform the nature of family reconnection for generations to come. It is an example of how mobile technology can be a force for lasting positive change.”

Christopher Mikkelsen, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of REFUNITE, said: “Everyone has the right to know where their family is. Through this partnership we’ll be able to inform and assist tens of thousands of displaced people in their search for missing loved ones.”

To download the complete report, please click on the picture below: