Safaricom subscribers can now search for and reconnect with their loved ones using their mobile phone via an application provided by Ericsson and Refugees United.
The application, specifically targeting refugees, will enable them to use mobile phones to register themselves, search for loved ones, and subsequently reconnect via an anonymous database.
The initiative took place in Kenya to mark the World Refugee Day and in support of the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled from conflict and disaster areas, reconnecting families and friends through the innovative use of mobile communications and internet.
The new mobile tool enables refugees to access Refugees United’s mobile site – http://m.refunite.org, register themselves (in English, Kiswahili, Somali or Arabic), search for and subsequently reconnect with loved ones.
Once registered, the information is stored in an anonymous database that is maintained by Refugees United.
It can then be accessed by individuals as well as NGOs and international organizations caring for displaced people, to rapidly search for matches. Without the program, locating displaced family members can take years when relying on traditional paper based systems.
The mobile application is being deployed to augment existing access to the Refugees United’s internet service (www.refunite.org).
With more than 17 million Safaricom subscribers in Kenya today, as compared to the estimated 820 000 PC owners with access to internet, the service via mobile phones is an obvious tool for this kind of support in Kenya and will soon be extended to allow SMS access by Safaricom customers.
“This is a great and innovative partnership for us. It not only expands the utility one can derive from being connected to the Safaricom network, but also provides a live example of the inclusiveness we seek in all our operations,” said Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore.
The aim of this initiative is to register 120,000 people on the service by the end of 2011.
By Brian Adero
