Wind Mobile and Hyla Mobile have partnered with Lifeline Syria, an aid organization that works with refugees, to provide free mobile phones and wireless services to Syrian asylum seekers.
“Canadians are responding with compassion and generosity to the plight of Syrians who have been forced to flee their homeland. We want to do what we can to help,” said Wind Mobile marketing vice-president, Jennifer Douglas, in a statement to MobileSyrup. “Access to mobile communications can help them make a smooth transition to life in Canada.”
Wind encourages Canadians to bring extra mobile phones to local Wind Mobile stores for donation.
Lifeline Syria is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping and sponsoring Syrian refugees coming to Canada in order to escape the violence in their war-torn home country.
“We commend Wind Mobile for helping with our efforts to provide for the needs of the Syrian refugees who are coming to Canada. By giving them a way to stay connected, Wind Mobile will help these new arrivals settle in to life in their new adopted country,” said Ratna Omidvar, chair of Lifeline Syria.
Canada’s recently elected Liberal government has plans to settle approximately 25,000 refugees across the country in the coming months.
Syrians who have been unable to flee their home country often rely on social media, apps and Facebook to communicate with people across checkpoint filled, barricaded cities, allowing them to learn about road closures and water distribution depots. While Wind offering free smartphones to Syrian refugees in need of a mobile device is a noble endeavour, since conflict in the region has affected people from all walks of life, many asylum seekers likely already own a smartphone.
On Canadian soil smartphones will serve a similar purpose, acting as a lifeline when accessing information to their new surroundings, including easy access to important government services.
Google also recently launched a website designed to help Syrian refugees.
[source]Newswire[/source]
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