By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter

Some 200 expatriate workers will hold an “Iftar Drive” on August 2. It is expected to benefit 3,000 individuals.
Mildred Ngoaban, one of the main organisers of the event, told Gulf Times that they would distribute food packs at Suhaim Bin Jassim Roundabout, Ramada and Hamad signals 10 minutes before Iftar.
The food packs consist of dates, Arabic biscuits, and drinks. Volunteers will be deployed at the designated areas before the breaking of the fast.   
“By distributing food packs to motorists, we want to discourage motorists from rushing to help prevent accidents on the road. We all know that many are in a hurry for Iftar,” Ngoaban said. “It is also part of corporate social responsibility.”
Many of the volunteers are Filipino labourers and expatriates working in the Industrial Area, Mesaieed and Saudi border area. Others are members of a group called Reformed and United Guardians Brotherhood International Inc. (RUGBII).
“We have been doing this for the past three years and we want it to continue every year,” added Ngoaban.
She recounted that only few Filipinos have joined the activity during its launching and most of the volunteers were from different nationalities. Members of RUGBII and another Filipino organisation, Migrante International, have joined forces for the annual Iftar Drive.
RUGBII-Qatar was formed in 2010 and now has more than 1,000 members. It has three branches with many local chapters. Migrante, on the other hand, helps overseas Filipino workers to fight for their rights against all forms of discrimination, exploitation and abuse in the work place.
Ngoaban believes that many expatriate organisations will join in the cause in the coming years.