Leading telecommunication company Etisalat is offering the Nepali community in UAE five free outgoing international minutes to call their family and loved ones in Nepal, as a goodwill gesture due to the huge loss caused by the earthquake.

To avail this offer, customers can send a SMS ‘NEPAL’ to 1012 and they would instantly be credited with five free International minutes to call any number in Nepal, said a statement.

Khaled Elkhouly, chief marketing officer, said: "We are deeply saddened by the colossal loss to human lives and property caused by the severe earthquake in Nepal.

“As a small gesture during this hour of crisis, we have decided to offer all our prepaid customers 5 minutes of calls to Nepal for free, thus enabling our Nepali customers across UAE to get in touch with their families and friends.” - TradeArabia News Service