Bharti Airtel, on Saturday announced the launch of a unique telecommunications based digital system that is designed to deliver vessel weather alerts and vessel tracking capabilities specifically for the fishermen community residing in Bangladesh’s coastal areas.    

Earlier on Saturday, Abul Kalam Azad, information minister and other government high officials inaugurated the launch of this service by providing Airtel’s unique tracking device to 50 fishing vessels.            

The initiative by Airtel was supported by CARE Bangladesh, Oxfam, Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (CSRL) and Centre for Global Change (CGC).

CARE Bangladesh addresses the underlying causes of poverty and promotes sustainable development models to empower and benefit the poorest and marginalized. CSRL is an NGO ensuring sustainable development through the reduction of poverty and vulnerability for the rural population. Oxfam is an international confederation working to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice.    

“While Bangladesh’s abundant coastline is of great pride to us and a source of livelihood for many.  We are all aware of the challenges we face as a country from our vulnerability to the grave effects of climate change. With the launch of Airtel’s innovative digital telecommunications system for coastal weather conditions, we look forward to helping the fishermen community leverage technology towards their benefit and avert harsh consequences of climatic disturbances”, said  Chris Tobit, managing director and CEO, Airtel Bangladesh Ltd.

As part of this initiative by Airtel, thousands of fishermen in Bangladesh will also be able to subscribe to weather alerts and forecasts thus allowing them avoid rough sea situations and sail safe of any natural disasters.       Airtel’s warning systems will also empower fishermen with advance information on when to avoid deep-sea fishing and avert any risky situations.