TeliaSonera gives $1 million to PM Disaster Relief Fund

KATHMANDU, May 26: TeliaSonera, the parent company of Ncell, has handed over US$ 1 million (Rs 102 million) to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund for supporting families affected by the devastating earthquake of April 25.

President of TeliaSonera Eurasia Erik Hallberg handed over the check for Rs 102 million to Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Tuesday."We have been deeply hurt by the loss of lives and infrastructures. Our sympathy is with the people of Nepal, and we salute the spirit with which they braved the disaster. We hope the support from TeliaSonera will contribute to further expedite rescue and relief efforts," a statement issued by Ncell quoted Hallberg as saying. "We further request the government to make sure it reaches to the needy families in the affected areas."

Earlier, TeliaSonera had committed fund of $1 million for immediate relief efforts immediately after the earthquake. Ncell has also committed to provide support of Rs 1 billion for long-term rebuilding works over the next three years.

"As a long-term investor in Nepal and the country's leading mobile service provider, TeliaSonera and Ncell are committed to partner in the relief and rebuilding efforts," Hallberg said in the statement.

Erim Taylanlar, CEO of Ncell, said they have begun consultations on where the support committed for rebuilding works will go or how it will be utilized. "Decisions on where and how the money will be spent have not been made yet. For sure, Ncell will have a long term focus on Nepal while taking the decision. We are discussing with both local and international expertise to determine exactly how the funds are best used," Taylanlar said in the statement.

In the wake of April 25 earthquake, Ncell had also provided communications support (balance and SMS) of about Rs 1.60 billion to its customers to enable them stay connected with their dear ones and rescue and relief efforts over the first 10 days of the earthquake.

In August 2014, Ncell had provided humanitarian aid of Rs 200 million to the families affected by landslides and flood in the different parts of the country.

It has also been providing balance support and humanitarian aid in districts during natural disasters.

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