Dubai, UAE and Geneva, Switzerland – Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) operator announced it has increased its commitment to emergency communications response with the donation of Thuraya satellite phones to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Thuraya is providing the ITU with a supplementary stock of XT handsets to enable relief workers and first responders to connect and coordinate efforts during times of emergencies.

Thuraya Chief Executive Officer Samer Halawi said the agreement further extends the use of its satellite equipment for disaster relief. “At Thuraya, we strongly believe in our purpose to save and improve lives. We remain deeply committed to continuing our involvement in emergency communications programmes, and to strengthening our partnership with the ITU. We provide reliable, cost-effective and rapidly-deployable mobile satellite services to NGO customers around the world, and are delighted to leverage our experience in our enhanced long term partnership with the ITU.”

Thuraya’s satellite equipment will enhance ITU’s capacity in deploying mobile communications to assist countries in preparing for disasters and in strengthening response and recovery mechanisms. Thuraya will also provide ITU with preferential airtime rates and technical training support.

ITU Chief, Projects and Knowledge Management Cosmas Zavazava said, “We thank Thuraya for their generous contribution. This partnership builds on our long-standing cooperation and comes at a critical time when many countries are being affected by humanitarian crises including the Ebola outbreak resulting in thousands of people losing their lives. Mobile satellite communications provides a critical link for humanitarian agencies and victims.”