Qatar Red Crescent Society’s (QRCS) Volunteering and Local Development Division recently executed several activities under the Stand Together programme, which is aimed at providing care for expatriate workers in Qatar to promote harmony and solidarity among different segments of society.
With funding from the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation’s (OIC) Humanitarian Funds (INSANIA), QRCS distributed food parcels to many labourers to help meet their basic food needs. All Covid-19 preventive measures were observed, in line with the instructions of the Ministry of Public Health, QRCS said in a statement.
Donated by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), 27 tonnes of dates were distributed to more than 20,000 farm workers in Mesaieed, Al Wakra, Al Wukair, Al Khor and Ras Laffan, in addition to construction workers of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) in Doha.
Muna Fadel al-Sulaiti, executive director of the Volunteering and Local Development Division at QRCS, said: “Expatriate workers are always a top priority for our local operations. We focus on them even more during the holy month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Such annual religious occasions bring with them the spiritualities of mercy, benevolence and compassion among the rich and the poor. Amid the negative impact of Covid-19 on the lower social strata, it is our duty to work harder these days to reach out to the underserved communities."
She commended the productive collaboration with INSANIA, the MME and Ashghal as “a model to follow in humanitarian partnership to serve those in need, which would have positive implications for their everyday life and make them feel safe and taken care of here in Qatar”.
Stand Together is a social development initiative to ensure the welfare of expatriate workers through diverse forms of assistance, such as health education, food aid and hygiene kits. The ultimate goal is to improve their living conditions and achieve social integration, the statement adds.