JORDANIANS IN UAE RALLY FOR THOSE FACING VIRUS HARDSHIP
▶ Food vouchers, health care and hotel rooms given to struggling families and stranded visitors
A community of Jordanian citizens in the UAE has united during Ramadan to help people hit financially by the coronavirus pandemic.
Since the first job losses in mid-March, more than 250 families have benefitted from food vouchers and accommodation paid for by the Fazaat Nashama UAE project.
Co-ordinator Raed Alshnableh, who has lived in Dubai most of his life, said he was compelled to act after seeing friends and colleagues fall on hard times.
“This problem is occurring all over the world, and many people have lost their jobs – including in the UAE,” said Mr Alshnableh, 50, an area manager for Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank in Dubai.
“Since the coronavirus arrived here, many people have been left without work or the means to earn any money to pay for food and accommodation for their families.
“We try to help anyone we can who needs our help.”
Their fundraising is fully licensed by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, through the Beit Al Khair Society.
Mr Alshnableh began by rallying friends to help out.
Many of them collected money from businesses and well-wishers to buy Carrefour gift cards for those most in need.
Each card is loaded with Dh100 and provides brief respite from the hardship and worry many are facing.
Families are given up to five vouchers to spend on food and essentials, depending on their size and financial situation.
The project aims to reach as many people as possible, not only Jordanian citizens. It has also helped support people in need from Somalia, Syria and Egypt.
Some of those who need help were visiting relatives in the UAE when borders closed, leaving them homeless.
Al Raha Hotel Apartments in Sharjah has put up 30 people, while the Landmark Hotel in Dubai has taken seven others.
“For these people who came on a tourist visa, we have rented a home or hotel room until they are able to return home,” said Mr Alshnableh, who lives in Sharjah with his wife and five children aged 21, 19, 15, 11 and 4.
“We are paying for that too. Some friends of ours have hotels or motels that have agreed to help.
“Another challenge has been to get the medication that some of these people need, as it is very expensive.
“The government has been a big help to give us all the approvals we need to do this work, and our own consulate. If we did not help one another during this crisis, it would be a miserable time for everyone.”
The seven founding members of Fazaat Nashama UAE have collectively donated Dh150,000 to the cause.
Numbers have since swelled to more than 40 business men and women either donating their time or money to help others.
Eman Damra, an education supervisor in Sharjah, was left with time on her hands when her school closed to focus on distance learning.
Like many others, she saw the break as an opportunity to give back to her community. “As a team, we have all come together to make this happen and help the situation for as many people as possible,” she said.
“There are many who are suffering who have lost jobs or their income. Helping others is part of my personality. I like to give up as much of my time as I can.
“We are helping people across the country, in Dubai, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain.”
About 200,000 Jordanians live in the UAE, 10 per cent of whom need some kind of help.
Repatriation flights have been scheduled to begin with Royal Jordanian Airlines from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Nader Salameh Alsuhaim, economic counsellor for the embassy and general consulate of Jordan, helped utilise relations in the UAE to support the initiative.
“We want to help the unemployed here as well as visitors who need to get home,” he said.
“I contacted Fazaat Nashama at the beginning of the outbreak as they needed consular support and financial help to support their work. Everything has been going very well since then.
“Some people have needed help with medicine and NMC Hospitals has helped one person with kidney dialysis.
“Almost all of those in need are on tourist visas and are waiting to be in a position to fly home. We would like to be able to have more flights very soon.”
If we did not help one another other during this crisis, it would be a miserable time for everyone RAED ALSHNABLEH Co-ordinator, Fazaat Nashama UAE