Informatică economică (Jan 2009)
Mobile Operator Supports Refugees and Disabled in Georgia
Abstract
Collapse of USSR and declaration of independence by Georgia was followed by ethnic conflicts provoked by Russia, and de-facto loosing of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, with about 300,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). New wave of tens of thousands IDPs - mainly from South Ossetia and Shida Kartli - have emerged since recent Russian occupation of Georgian territories in August 2008. Refugees, considering their economical and psycho-social problems, are needy for communication as cell phones often remain a main hope for establishing contacts and new social networking. One of the major mobile operator (MO) – Geocell introduced during 4 months special tariff for refugees - 0, 09 GEL (0,044€) per min –70% reduction of basic rate. Around 56% of refugees have used that emergency relief measure. MO also helps deaf-mute persons by providing special SMS rate - 0, 02 GEL (1/3 of usual) and supporting computer center where it educates such disabled with future employment prospects (7 persons – at MO office).
