Smart Axiata Praised for Key Contributions to Help Alleviate Covid-19
Cambodia’s leading mobile operator Smart Axiata has been recognized by the Ministry of National Defense for the Kingdom of Cambodia for the numerous key contributions the telecommunications company made to help the nation at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic during an official ceremony organized by the Ministry of Defense on 19th of August for all supportive organizations and institutions that engaged with common cause.
General Bun Lert, Secretary of State of the Ministry of National Defense for the Kingdom of Cambodia presented an award to Smart Axiata at a presentation ceremony at the Ministry of National Defense, in recognition of Smart Axiata’s efforts and activities to limit the negative impact the Covid-19 pandemic had on the country.
Smart Axiata’s contributions to help limit the negative impact the Covid-19 pandemic had on the Kingdom of Cambodia included creating a USD $1 million fund to support businesses dedicated to tackling the effects of the virus; helping to set up vaccination centers across Phnom Penh; and using Smart Axiata’s extensive network to provide food relief and uninterrupted communications to those stranded in Red Zones at the height of the pandemic.
Acting CEO of Smart Axiata Feiruz Ikhwan said: “I am delighted for Smart Axiata to receive this award which is dedicated to our everyday heroes at Smart. Our contributions and joint effort with the Royal Government of Cambodia during this devastating crisis have shown everybody that Smart Axiata really is here to serve Cambodia and all Cambodians. We care about the safety, health and well-being of every Cambodian and we were proud to have been able to offer our support however we could.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic Smart mobilized emergency funding from its 1 Million USD COVID-19 Relief Fund to set up and equip 28 vaccination centers with tents, tables, chairs, fans, automatic hand sanitizer dispensers, alcohol gel, face masks and drinking water. The centers remained operational for 2 months.
In addition, Smart Axiata set up a Food Support Program so that the company’s subscribers could easily donate money and fund relief to help those in need.
At the height of the pandemic, Smart subscribers were able to donate to the Food Support Program using a special short code. Smart Axiata matched every donation made by subscribers up to an amount of USD $100,000. The donations were used to purchase essential emergency response kits, which were distributed by the municipalities to residents living in Red Zones who were having difficulties accessing basic necessities.
As part of its efforts to support the government and people of Cambodia during Covid-19, Smart also provided its subscribers across the country with 60 on-net minute calls for free every day, extended SIM card lifecycles and 60MB of data free to those who were living in Red Zones.
Acting CEO of Smart Axiata Feiruz Ikhwan added: “As the country’s leading mobile phone operator we were proud to be able to use our extensive network to help those in need.”
To find out more about Smart Axiata’s contributions to the Kingdom of Cambodia and how the company helped at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic visit the Smart for Cambodia Facebook page at www.facebook.com/smartforcambodia.