Restoration in North Al Batinah nears completion

The restoration of services in the wilayats that were affected by the tropical condition Shaheen is nearly complete. The relief and shelter sector will continue to work until the National Centre for Emergency Management announces the return to normalcy in North Al Batinah Governorate, said Ahmed bin Abdullah al Riyami, operation assistant coordinator at the Relief and Sheltering Sector.

In comments to Oman Arabic, sister publication of the Observer, Al Riyami said that the Relief and Sheltering Sector is one of eight sectors that have swung into action to deal with the impact of the tropical condition Shaheen. The sector is currently working on the third phase which handles the process of reconstruction.

He added that all those who were accommodated in evacuation centres were sent back to their homes after they were cleaned up and they were provided with essentials and electrical appliances. The sector rented 21 flats for 18 families whose houses were badly damaged and they were also provided with all the essential equipment and materials.

The Ministry of Social Development will pay out the rent of flats for a whole year during which the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning will repair the damaged houses. Besides, an amount of RO 1,000 was paid to each of the affected families to help them manage the situation, the official said.

The Relief and Sheltering Sector dedicated stores to receive aid materials donated by the charitable societies in the wilayats of Al Suwaiq, Al Musannah, Al Khabourah and Saham. These include drinking water, canned food, blankets, flour, rice and electrical appliances. The distribution of these materials was distributed based on a field survey conducted by the Royal Army of Oman (RAO), he said.