PDO donates over OMR5mn for cyclone hit
The company has also launched a staff appeal in the aftermath of the natural disaster, which has, so far, raised more than OMR160,000
Times News Service
MUSCAT: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is donating OMR5 million to support the victims of Cyclone Mekunu and to aid the on-going recovery efforts in the wake of the recent tropical storm, which hit the Dhofar and Al Wusta Governorates.
The company has also launched a staff appeal in the immediate aftermath of the natural disaster, which has, so far, raised more than OMR160,000. All of the money will be used to rebuild homes in the affected areas and PDO’s concession area and support other relief efforts.
Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, Minister of Oil and Gas and Chairman of the PDO Board of Directors, said: “PDO is strongly committed to the safety, empowerment and success of the communities where it works. I am happy that the company is able to make this substantial contribution to the disaster relief efforts and help those affected to rebuild their lives and homes. I also applaud the PDO staff for donating money to the cause and once again showing their compassion and concern to those in need.”
PDO Managing Director Raoul Restucci said: “PDO is deeply concerned about the communities in which we operate and those beyond our boundaries, which were seriously impacted by the devastating cyclone.”
“There was a huge groundswell of support and sympathy for the victims from our staff and contractors, some of whom were caught in the disaster. They wanted to do everything they could to help and have responded magnificently to the relief and recovery efforts and in raising money for those who bore the brunt of the storm,” he added.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, PDO was able to safely evacuate more than 19,000 staff members and contractors from the affected areas and give vital support to local communities, providing shelter, food and water, facilitating the re-connection of electricity services, opening roads, and supplying municipal offices with fuel and satellite phones.
This huge undertaking was ably led by the Company’s Corporate Emergency Co-ordination Centre at Mina Al Fahal in collaboration with its Local Emergency Control Centres at Harweel and Marmul, Nimr and Bahja. The teams also co-ordinated and collaborated with the Ministry of Oil and Gas, the Royal Oman Police and the Public Authority for Civil Aviation.
Restucci added: “This was a wonderful example of caring and professional teamwork, with people who were determined to ensure the safety of thousands of people who had to be evacuated or who lacked food, water and power supplies.”
“I would like to express my utmost pride in, and gratitude to, all those who tirelessly and unselfishly played their part in the successful response to cyclone Mekunu,” he added.
PDO contributed almost OMR362,000 to help those caught up in the humanitarian crisis in Yemen after two staff appeals in 2015 and 2017. It also donated OMR192,000 to help Rohingya refugees in November last year. Other fundraising efforts in recent years have included donations for victims of the Nepal earthquake, the Syrian civil war, the Gaza conflict and typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.