Mobilink tops OICCI Flood Relief donors list

Karachi – October 07, 2010 - Mobilink, Pakistan’s market leader in cellular services and a part of Orascom Telecom Holding has been recognized by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OICCI) as the top donor amongst its member companies for relief of the flood affected people.

The OICCI which represents 185 foreign companies highlighted Mobilink’s contribution of Rs. 236 million that is one of the largest private sector relief initiatives in the country followed by Unilever at Rs. 128 million.

A significant portion of Mobilink’s contribution is in the form of pre-fabricated sheets worth Rs 140 million that have been donated to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Thardeep Rural Development Program (TRDP) to establish over 400 basic health units. The shelters are easy to assemble, transport and store as per requirements. Made of durable material, they are not only be useful during the current relief efforts but are a long term donation for future use as schools and dispensaries in coming months and years particularly in areas where rehabilitation will be a slow and lengthy process.  Mobilink has also put to use discarded panaflexes and billboard skins to pack relief items. Very sturdy, these bags can hold up to 10 kilos, are waterproof and hence of long term use to aid recipients. Channeled through the Mobilink Foundation, more than 100,000 flood victims have been reached through these efforts.

The total contributions made by the members of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OICCI) towards flood relief stand at over Rs. 1.69bn. Other top donors include British Petroleum, Johnson and Johnson and Coca Cola Pakistan.