Dubai NGO gives hundreds of hygiene packs to workers

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter 
 

The Pehal Charitable Trust (PCT) Humanity in a couple of days has distributed around 500 gift packs among hundreds of workers in Dubai’s different residential and commercial areas where workers were busy, such as various construction sites, apart from gardeners, cleaners and others.

Dr Joginder Singh Salaria, founder PCT Humanity, and a philanthropist based in Dubai for over two decades, told Gulf Today on Tuesday that everyone has been taking measures to protect themselves in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) to wash and sanitise their hands and also maintain social distance.

But when these workers, busy at their sites, were asked about the measures spread by the experts, they said they hardly knew anything.

"I personally visited and saw many workers without face masks. This give us an idea and encourages us to do something for these people to provide cleaning and sanitising products. We have prepared around 500 bags – with 2 anti-bacterial soaps, hand sanitiser, face mask and gloves. My colleagues have started visiting various construction sites and localities like Emirates Hills, The Greens and other gated communities where we found many gardeners and other workers without protective gear against the coronavirus. My staff is not only handing them the gift packs but also spreading awareness about the safety measures to protect in the wake of pandemic of COVID-19,” he said.

Salaria said, "We are very thankful to the timely and strict measures taken by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister, UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. We also need to salute the medical team of doctors, nurses, staff of Dubai Police for their dedication and commitment to save people's lives. I appeal to every citizen in the UAE to cooperate and stay at home as this is the only and prime measure to fight this disease.”

He also said that they talked with the senior management at many construction sites to provide proper assistance to their workforce about the virus and measures to control the pandemic. "A healthy workforce is a great resource and to maintain this the managers should take steps to provide maximum guidance to their workers. Our lecturers and guidance are just a small step for these workers and we need others to come forward and extend their response in this regard,” he said.

The PCT Humanity has been engaged in a number of countries to carry out various humanitarian projects in the fields of health, providing clean water, education and others.

He also said, "The need today is to break the chain of social gatherings and stay at home as this virus is transmitting through touch. Various states and countries are undergoing a complete lockdown. We are expressing our full cooperation to the policies laid down by the government and appeal to the people to stay at home and cancel all the social and professional gatherings.”

Team PCT Humanity is in touch with these people and working tirelessly in making them aware about this deadly disease and also appealing to maintain the social distance by staying at their accommodation.

Safety measures include washing and sanitising your hands at regular intervals, wearing face masks, eating home-cooked food and staying fit.

Earlier, a company specialising in automotive services in Dubai decided to donate 2.5 per cent of the value of each bill issued by it for charitable and humanitarian work projects, supporting the needy and providing their requirements, inside and outside the Emirates.

Dar Al Ber Society has signed a cooperation agreement with “Detail Plus” for automotive services, at the first Al Khail Street in Al Quoz 3 in Dubai, which also requires the private company to launch a campaign to collect donations for charitable work and humanitarian projects.

This after obtaining the special permit from the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai, where Hisham Al-Hashimi, the deputy executive director of the Society, represented Dar Al Ber at the signing of the agreement. The firm specialising in vehicle services was represented by Bandar Turki Al-Amer, the company director.