Vodafone wants to provide 'vital connectivity' for up to 200,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war.
Vodafone will offer free connectivity to 200,000 refugees arriving in the UK from Ukraine through its charities.connected initiative. Registered charities can apply for the free connectivity, in the form of SIM cards with 20GB data, plus free calls and texts every month for six months here.
The Government has said that the UK could take in 200,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. Connectivity will be essential to help refugees access vital support, mental health services and healthcare and to stay in touch with friends and family back home and elsewhere.
We are calling on charities to get in touch so we can provide vital connectivity to refugees arriving in the UK from Ukraine
(Ahmed Essam, Vodafone’s UK CEO)
To help refugees who arrive in the UK without devices, Vodafone has launched a Tech Appeal for refugees with a donation of 3,000 smartphones (including connectivity) and 1,000 portable power banks. The UK public and businesses can also donate here.
Vodafone is also match-funding donations to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal through the British Red Cross, with a minimum contribution of £250,000 from Vodafone.
People can donate any amount via this tracked link, or £10 by texting VODAFONE to 70141*. Every donation will be automatically match-funded and 100% of donations will go to the appeal.
For Vodafone customers with family and friends in Ukraine, calls and texts are currently free of charge and roaming charges are being waived for customers within Ukraine.
Ahmed Essam, Vodafone’s UK CEO, said: “We are calling on charities to get in touch so we can provide vital connectivity to refugees arriving in the UK from Ukraine. This is a terrible situation and we must all do what we can to help.”
