The national emergency helpline 999 have launched English-language services for the first time, aiming to assist English-speaking people, particularly foreigners working in or visiting the country.
Inspector general of police Baharul Alam announced the new addition to the service and directed the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to ensure seamless emergency assistance for foreigners, according to a press release from the police headquarters on Thursday.
The service became operational from February 12, said the press release.
Under the new directive, foreign tourists, expatriates, and individuals working with diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies, and international development organisations can access emergency services in English through 999.
The police headquarters in its press release said that the service requires callers seeking English assistance to press 鈥�2鈥� after dialing 999.
The service is accessible through SIM, Subscriber Identification Module, cards from Bangladeshi mobile operators or landlines, providing access to police, fire service, and ambulance services.
A sufficient number of dedicated duty desks were set up, operating in three shifts every day to support English-speaking callers, according to the press release.
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