Global partnership announced between Ericsson and Red Cross Red Crescent
2 September 2002

A landmark agreement on long-term co-operation was signed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg today by the world's largest humanitarian network, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Swedish telecommunications giant, Ericsson. It is the first of its kind between the private and humanitarian sector focussing on disaster telecommunications solutions.

"The International Federation views this agreement with Ericsson as an important milestone in mobilising private sector support for sustainable development. The agreement relates not only to immediate operational needs but covers a broader range of issues. These relate to disaster mitigation and risk reduction through harnessing cutting edge technology to help the world's most vulnerable people," said Didier Cherpitel, secretary general of the International Federation.

"The telecommunications industry has the ability to influence and make a difference," said Mats Dahlin, Executive Vice President, Ericsson. "This carries a great responsibility. The most effective way to leverage our corporate social responsibility is to form active working partnerships with leading humanitarian organisations, such as the Red Cross. We hope this agreement will inspire others in the private sector to follow."

In addition to putting its network and technology at the disposal of the Red Cross Red Crescent world-wide, Ericsson has agreed to advocate for the development of international law and policies to facilitate the access and use of telecommunications and information technology for humanitarian purposes in emergency situations. It will also advocate the development of humanitarian priorities within Ericsson's commercial contracts.

Until now, almost 60 Ericsson telecom engineers, volunteering to work in disaster situations, have been trained by the International Federation and the Swedish Red Cross. Since then, Ericsson Response Volunteers have been involved in several emergencies providing major communications support to some of the biggest disasters over the last two years. These include earthquakes which claimed thousands of lives in India and El Salvador last year. More recently, the security of refugees and Red Cross staff in the camps of remote northwestern Tanzania was greatly improved when Ericsson installed voice and data communications with the outside world.

Ericsson is also providing part of the telecommunications infrastructure required to sustain the US$ 62 million operation launched by the International Federation in response to the current food crisis affecting 13 million people in southern Africa. This includes participating in a telecom assessment, now underway, and the provision of 260 pieces of telecom equipment valued at US$ 107,000.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

In Johannesburg
Solveig Olafsdottir, Press Officer - Tel: + 263 91 345 936
In Geneva
Jette Soerensen, Press Officer - Tel: + 41 22 730 43 41 / 41 79 416 38 81 (duty phone)

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.