Mohammad Emdadul Haque, Access Network Management Director, Banglalink shared the challenges faced in Feni: 

“During the floods in Feni, mobile networks were severely impacted. However, Banglalink managed to maintain service in the six most critical areas by taking pre-emptive measures like deploying extra Portable Generators (PGs) and positioning field teams with essential resources, ensuring coverage while following our Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) guidelines. By positioning PGs on boats, auto-rickshaws, and on foot, we ensured vital communication access for both residents and rescue teams. Our field teams showed great dedication, working under challenging conditions to keep communication open, while the Sales and Technology teams collaborated to optimize network resilience, allowing customers to stay connected.”

The floods have severely disrupted access to essential services and livelihoods, damaged over 339,000 hectares of crops, and jeopardized food security, according to UN data². Additionally, 7,000 schools have been forced to close, affecting 1.75 million primary students. The scale of the humanitarian challenge in the aftermath of the floods is also immense. The country has risen to the challenge, working together as a whole with the private sector supporting the government and volunteers.

In line with its commitment to giving back to society and its people, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Army, Banglalink is also providing immediate relief through food and hygiene aid distribution. The operator has already delivered 3,300 relief packages, designed to feed and aid 15,000 people with basic food items and hygiene products. This initiative is crucial for those who have been displaced from their homes and are now seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters.
 

Banglalink also leverages its reach to a wider base, setting up donation drives to collect financial contributions and clothing for affected communities. Additionally, Banglalink contributed up to 20% of revenues from its selected offers between September 1 to 7 to disaster relief through the 'Connect and Contribute' flood donation campaign, supporting the affected communities. The funds were used to purchase essential relief items for these communities.

“The devastating floods have tested our commitment to the well-being of both our communities and employees,” explains Erik Aas, CEO of Banglalink. “We took every measure to protect our dedicated network teams, who worked tirelessly to restore services in the hardest-hit areas, delivering not just connectivity but hope. We remain steadfast in our dedication to serving society in every crisis, knowing that technology can be a lifeline in moments like these.”

This isn't the first time Banglalink has risen to the occasion during a national disaster. In 2023, during Cyclone Mocha, the operator played a crucial role in providing early warnings through its network, helping authorities evacuate over 750,000 people.

Banglalink’s commitment to the communities it serves goes beyond providing network coverage—it reflects a deeper responsibility to step up in times of national crisis. By keeping communication lines open and working alongside relief agencies, Banglalink played a crucial role in alleviating the suffering of millions across Bangladesh. 
As climate-related disasters become more frequent, the need for robust technological infrastructure and immediate relief measures cannot be overstated. Through its rapid response and on-the-ground support, Banglalink continues to demonstrate how digital operators can be a lifeline in times of crisis.

About Banglalink 
Banglalink is one of the leading digital communications service providers in Bangladesh, working to unlock new opportunities for its customers as they navigate the digital world. Driven by the vision of transforming lives through technology, Banglalink also strives to transform into a future-ready service provider capable of catering to the demands of the new digital era. It is a subsidiary of VEON Ltd - a Nasdaq and Euronext listed connectivity provider headquartered in the Netherlands. For more information, visit: www.banglalink.net 

About VEON 
VEON is a digital operator that provides converged connectivity and digital services to nearly 160 million customers. Operating across six countries that are home to more than 7% of the world’s population – Pakistan, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan – VEON is transforming lives through technology-driven services that empower individuals and drive economic growth. Headquartered in Amsterdam, VEON is listed on NASDAQ and Euronext. For more information visit: www.veon.com