Communities unite to fight COVID-19

Government’s efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Qatar, have received overwhelming support from the community in the form of volunteering work and contributions like cash, logistic and services by individuals and companies. Qatari youth became the source of inspiration by becoming volunteers.

They were spotted supporting awareness campaigns to protect workers from coronaviurs at worksites and labour camps, distributing face masks, gloves and sanitisers to fight against the epidemic. The volunteers also participated in the initiatives of charity organisations to provide food to workers and other needy people.

The Support and Contribution Initiative of Individuals and Companies to Curb the COVID-19 at National Committee for Combating Coronavirus run by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management received QR79.4m contribution in cash from 174 individuals and 213 institutions and companies. Individuals and companies of all sizes have actively supported the efforts of the State of Qatar to fight COVID-19 through financial, service and real estate sector contributions, said Government Communication Office (GCO) on its official website.

The initiative also received 78 real estate contribu- tions, including hotels, residential buildings, residential complexes, villas, labour camps and stores to help curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The generous individuals and companies made 178 service contributions like medical, hotel, transportation, cleaning, consultancy and the food processing. To make contributions, individuals and companies can register through the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management’s website at https://cic.adlsa.gov.qa/ by following some easy steps.

Qatari youths as volunteers participated in the health monitoring campaigns for food outlets conducted by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) throughout the municipalities recently.

The participation of volunteers came within the initiative of the ministry to support volunteering work under the slogan ‘Your Safety Is Our Safety’. The volunteers, who received necessary training about the inspection process, joined the municipal inspectors in the inspection campaigns held on shopping complexes and food outlets in key areas of the municipalities of Doha, Al Rayan, Al Wakra, Al Sheehaniya, Umm Salal, Al Dayeen, Al Shamal, Al Khor and Al Zakhira.

The volunteers said that they took part in the campaigns considering it the national duty to serve the country, thanking MME officials for the initiative to involve members of society in the efforts made by the state for the safety of the country and society. Abdullah Salem Al Yafei, one of the volunteers to the initiative in Al Rayyan Municipality, said that he participated in volunteering campaigns to get acquainted with the stages of inspection of food establishments and methods of cleaning works, such as cleaning and disinfecting of public places.

He pointed out that the campaigns provided him experience about the mechanism and necessary health requirements for food products while shopping.

Mohammed Faleh Al Hajri, a volunteer in Al Rayan Municipality, said that he participated in the campaigns organised by the Al Rayan Municipality on a number of commercial and food shops in the region. Al Hajri said that he benefited a lot from the inspection campaign of the work team in checking the products, expiry date, and proper storage to ensure it is fit for human consumption. The efforts made by the volunteers of Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) are crucial in supporting the health authorities in solidarity with the government and people of Qatar to control the COVID-19.

QRCS boasts a great pool of thousands of volunteers from all walks of life, thanks to the wide public response to the recently launched Volunteer for Qatar campaign, said the QRCS in a statement.

Those promising young women and men substantially contribute to several services, including the provision of psychological support, health education, and logistics to the inmates of various quarantine locations across the country. In cooperation with Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the volunteers take part in street disinfection and health inspection campaigns. Also, they raise awareness and distribute medical supplies in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior (MOI) Community Police.

To ensure the safety and reliability of volunteers, QRCS’s Training and Development Center held training courses on how to use preventive tools and boost the morale of quarantined persons.

The volunteers with medical experience train and educate the public to fight the coronavirus disease. Lectures on health education were delivered by volunteers and health educators for the staff of government organisations and private sector companies. Delivered in several languages, the lectures covered many key topics such as washing hands well and frequently, how to use face masks, avoid touching the mouth and nose, using tissue when sneezing or coughing, and keeping social distancing.

In a statement, Ahmed Ali Al Khulaifi, Head of Volunteers Section at QRCS, said the Volunteer for Qatar Campaign was inspired by a desire to support the government’s efforts against the risks of coronavirus, by encouraging the Qatari and nonQatari youths to extend help for those who need care and psychological support as the virus keeps spreading.

“Once the initiative suggested by the Volunteers Section was adopted and announced, it attracted unprecedented number of applicants, both nationals and residents. It is the sense of responsibility that drives everyone to stand together in the face of calamity,” he added. Another purpose of the initiative is to ensure stronger connection between the service seekers and their families in their own home countries. Mobile recharge cards are distributed, so that they can contact their families, as part of restoring family links and psychological support services. Ali bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of QRCS called citizens and expatriates to join the noble work of volunteering.

“Let’s join hands to serve our country. All the population need your help. I believe you are up to it as usual. We expect more to protect our country against coronavirus,” said Al Hammadi.

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