Kenya Red Cross Society appoints Huawei as Communications Partner

Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, and the Kenya Red Cross Society, a humanitarian relief organisation today signed a partnership deal making Huawei the strategic communications partner for KRCS.

Huawei will equip the KRCS E-Plus’ ambulances and dispatch center with devices from its Huawei Ascend series of smartphones and tablets to facilitate quick and timely response, prevent and prepare the public with information and resources that they will need in times of an emergency.

The partnership will position and strengthen KRCS’s response time and communications in its disaster response operations with key focus in saving more lives and reducing injuries during incidences such as road accidents, fires and natural disasters, among others.

“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with KRCS, based on our expertise. As a global ICT leader with local presence, it is our responsibility as a company to care for the lives of our Kenyan people. Accidents, fires, natural disasters, all these incidences are not planned for, they just happen but we must be prepared. This partnership is a sign of our commitment to be part of a solution when disaster strikes.” Said Wind Li, CEO Huawei Technologies in Kenya.

Mr. Li added that the partnership was timely as this year’s ITU World Telecommunication  Information Society Day (WTISD)  approaches next week with the theme ICTs and improving road safety.

The collaboration will set up a system to collect real time and accurate data from the field which will be used to appeal to the public and gain understanding, connections and partnership.

While appreciating Huawei Technologies for this noble donation, Yusuf Nyakinda, the E-Plus Operations Manager said: “ Time is life, and therefore, the preparation, efficient and timely communication will significantly reduce response time leading to saving more lives; eventually, medical information sharing and real time communication of medical conditions with our hospital partners will also be efficient. Further, we shall have data that we can research on to help us manage pre-hospital care based on evidence practice”.

The ambulances will be furnished with high- end devices that will build capacity for effective response and transmission of information to the emergency and disaster centres. In addition, Huawei will support E-Plus Ambulance Services through providing 100 free memberships to customers who purchase or use their devices. This will be communicated via www.facebook.com/HuaweiDeviceKenya. Members of this service will have 24 hour rapid response ambulance services, 24 hour-7days a week, medical helpline, paramedics trained in Pre-hospital Care, State-of-the art Pre-hospital care equipment, countrywide presence and affordability.

As Huawei marks 15 years in Kenya, the company has made key contributions to the growth of the country’s ICT industry in the areas of Network Infrastructure, enterprise and devices. At the same time, Huawei has invested over 130M Kenya Shillings (approximately $1,6 million)  in corporate social investments to bridge digital divide in areas of disaster relief, knowledge transfer, environment, social contributions among others.

Staff Writer