Offering a helping hand When the pandemic began upending the lives of millions, several companies in the UAE sprang into action – offering succour to the needy. Anand Raj OK lists a few CSR initiatives that are helping make a positive difference to people

Al Adil Trading

A leading trader of premium Indian pulses, spices, foodstuff and groceries, Al Adil Trading has been at the forefront helping Indian expat workers who are awaiting repatriation. Last month, Dhananjay Datar, chairman and managing director of Al Adil Trading, arranged repatriation of 1,000 Indians, bearing not just the cost of the airline tickets but also Covid-19 testing fees. He also reserved rooms in a three-star hotel in Maharashtra to house the workers as part of the seven-day institutional quarantine procedure. ‘We also ensured food and other necessities were provided to the workers,’ says Dhananjay, who is organising a second chartered flight.

HALE EDUCATION

Headquartered in Dubai, Hale Education Group, which has offices in Abu Dhabi, Beirut, and Taiwan and provides counselling and guidance to students for admissions to North American colleges, has been doing their bit during these trying times. Actively involved in CSR initiatives, the group recently selected six Hale Scholars from Mauritius, Greece, Kenya, and Palestine from humble backgrounds. ‘We will be mentoring and supporting them for free in their admissions journeys,’ says Peter Davos, CEO of Hale Education. Previous Hale Scholars were accepted to MIT, Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, NYU and other universities. ‘We are open to accepting more deserving, high achieving students who may not be financially strong. We will mentor them free of cost. Such students can email us at elijah@haleducation.com,’ he adds.

APPAREL GROUP

Apparel Group, a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate based in Dubai, has been busy during these pandemic times with heart-warming humanitarian gestures to frontline healthcare workers. Recognising the relentless service they are offering to the community in these trying times, Apparel Group, local partners of casual footwear brand Crocs, gave away free pairs of shoes to healthcare workers of Rashid Hospital, Dubai.

The group also gave away 200 pairs of Birkenstock sandals to frontline employees of Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres, while CCC Shoes & Bags presented shoes to frontline warriors at Harley International Medical Clinic, Dubai.

Skechers, part of the group, gifted free shoes worth Dh200,000 to healthcare workers of Mafraq & Al Rahba Hospital, Abu Dhabi.

LANDMARK GROUP

Landmark Group and the Jagtiani Foundation, the private philanthropy arm of the Jagtiani family, have been busy with relief efforts in the region and India, committing Dh15 million towards supporting and empowering those affected by the pandemic. The group and the foundation together have been providing food rations for low-income families, daily wage earners and textile workers in the region. Relief efforts are also focused on providing resources like medical equipment and supplies to frontline workers in collaboration with partner factories.

‘We have tried to reach people across our value chain by prioritising the health and safety of our employees and customers, as well as continuing to engage our partner factories in relief efforts,’ says Renuka Jagtiani, chairwoman and CEO, Landmark Group. ‘We are also working closely with accredited charities, food banks and healthcare workers on the frontlines to provide aid to local communities where we operate.’ In the UAE, Landmark Group brands support The Fund of the United Arab Emirates: Homeland of Humanity.

ROVE HOTELS

Rove Hotels is treating Dubai’s airport workers to some well-deserved relaxation before things get really busy once again. As part of a special offer, last week 100 free one-night stays at Rove City Centre, close to Dubai International Airport, were given away to airport workers.

The rooms were allocated on a first come, first served basis.