BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-TNM Plc has responded to communication needs of people living in the flood prone areas in the country by giving out free-talk time to ease communication as they recover from the disaster.
Through the intervention TNM has distributed five minutes talk-time to 88 568 people living in the flood affected areas of Lilongwe, Nkhotakota and Karonga districts.
According to Head of Brand&Marketing Communications, Louis Chipofyathe intervention underscores the telco’s commitment to ease the burden of those that have been affected by the impact of the floods.
“Following the recent heavy rains and flooding that affected communities TNM felt obliged to play our part in contributing to the relief efforts. From experience among other critical, ability to communicate relations and authorities helps to manage the impact of disasters like floods,” he said.
“TNM as a Malawian company is greatly touched by the disaster and the plight of
the victims. We wish those that were injured quick recovery and the displaced a
quick rehabilitation,” said Chipofya.
Chipofya added that his company has also given K10,000 worth of airtime to each of the Malawi Red Cross Society staff that are directly involved in flood response initiatives to ease communication between the society and people in the affected areas.
“Red Cross is one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations and one of the coordinating partners in the affected communities. We decided to also provide the society’s staff working on the response effort to enhance coordination efforts,” added Chipofya.
“As TNM, together with other stakeholders we shall work hand-in-hand to address challenges victims face during and after the floods. Furthermore, as a telecommunication player we will try to implement strategies that aim at reducing the occurrences and damages of floods,” he said.
According to Red Cross Communications and Humanitarian Diplomacy Specialist, Felix Washoni, the benefiting communities were appreciative of the timely support which is being used to contact relations and inform them of the disaster and seek support.
“The talk time will also helpthe beneficiaries in transmitting early warnings to their colleagues along the down-stream in case of rising water levels to evacuate before disaster strikes,” said Washoni.
For the past years, TNM has been working with Red Cross and other organization in helping floods victims.
Last year, the company contributed free talk-time to Red Cross and through the society it donated assorted items to flood victims in Chilinga, Phalombe.
