Mobile Operator Supports Refugees and Disabled in Georgia

Zviad Kirtava ()

Informatica Economica, 2009, vol. 13, issue 2, 147-154

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).

Keywords: Georgia; Georgian-Russian war; refugees; internally displaced persons (IDP); mobile communication; mobile tariffs; needy; disabled; social responsibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aes:infoec:v:13:y:2009:i:2:p:147-154

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