Unsung heroes use kayaks, trucks to reach rain-hit areas
VOLUNTEERS BRAVE FLOODED STREETS IN DUBAI, SHARJAH TO HELP FAMILIES
Ever since Tuesday’s record rainfall, several unsung heroes have been wading through flooded streets to deliver food, water and medicines to residents of Dubai and Sharjah.
Muneer Al Wafa, who started the Rain Support UAE WhatsApp group and a website, told Gulf News: “Our website and seven WhatsApp groups have around 6,000 members. There are around 120 volunteers involved in distributing food, water and medicines day and night. Other members are pooling resources or helping with information on roadblocks and flight updates.”
Amal Gireesh, an active member of the group, helped transport 20 people to safety in Dubai on Tuesday night, and has been out supplying food and water to residents of Sharjah.
Off-roaders turn saviours
Amal said, the group started transporting food using kayaks since Thursday. “That became possible after we got amazing support from LC Offroaders and ME4X4 Off-roader Club. They drove through deep water even if it meant their cars could get damaged and some did. There were tears in the eyes of people who we reached out to.”
He said the off-roaders’ clubs provided professional support. “They used walkie talkies for effective coordination. One of their members, Hubb, and his son Lewis, trained volunteers on how to use kayaks and proper weight management to avoid sinking. The kayaks were useful in Al Majaz, Al Qassimia and Abu Shagara areas where it hasn’t been possible to reach by cars.”
The kayaks have been useful in Al Majaz, Al Qassimia and Abu Shagara areas where it hasn’t been possible to reach by cars. We got support from LC Offroaders and ME4X4 Off-roader Club. They drove through deep water even if it meant their cars could get damaged.”
Amal Gireesh | Member of the Rain Support UAE WhatsApp group
Cancer patients
Another volunteer, Deepu AS, the general-secretary of AKCAF, an apex body of college alumni groups from Kerala, said volunteers sourced and provided medicines even to cancer patients. “We managed to rescue two people by shifting them to hospitals with the help of Sharjah authorities — an Indian man, who suffered a heart attack, and an elderly Arab who required dialysis,” he said.
Amal said the team also got support from different nationalities. “On seeing us helping, some Arabs and others came forward to contribute relief material.”
The team also bumped into volunteers from another WhatsApp group named E-Support Volunteers. “It was created by one guy called Rafi. Their volunteers were also very active in relief operations,” said Amal.
More groups of volunteers
On Friday night, they were joined by a team from local non-profit organisation UAE Rescue. “They came with big trucks and helped evacuate stranded people,” Amal said.
Members of the Indian Cultural Foundation (ICF), the volunteers’ wing of Dubai Markaz Centre, were also active in Sharjah. “ICF volunteers have been distributing food, water and essential items and helping transport sick people to hospitals. We have started using inflatable boats, said president PKC Mohammad Saqafi.
ICF volunteers in Al Ain also helped clean up piles of sludge from the Jaber Saeed Ali Jaber Masjid in Hili on Thursday.
Companies contribute
Praveen K Prabhakaran, spokesperson of Aster Volunteers, said 25 Aster volunteers are involved in the relief efforts. “We have provided support to over 50 families to date,” he said.
Several restaurants and cafes in Dubai offered free meals. While some water companies provided free drinking water, a dairy company offered 1,500 bottles of milk in Sharjah.
A polyclinic group announced free consultations for three days at its branches in Abu Shagara, Al Ghusais and Rashidiya. “The initiative is being supported by the Indian Consulate in Dubai, Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre and the Indian Association Sharjah,” the group said.