Covid-19: Indian expat donates care packs for blue collared workers in Dubai

Dubai - The care package consists of all items that are in the frontline of the war against Covid-19.

Good deeds abound in times of crisis and UAE residents are no exception. Indian expatriate and social worker Ayesha Ismail has shown great initiative in harnessing support from residents who then made the collective effort to create 230 care packages for blue collared workers in Dubai. 
Begum, who heads Open Arms UAE, a community-driven charity organisation took just under a week to gather the support and the contents. "I intend to distribute the care packages to workers at a construction site and accommodation in Qusais, Dubai in the coming days," she said.
Each care package is worth Dh15  and consists of one hand sanitizer, one face mask, and one hand wash container,  all items that are in the frontline of the war against Covid-19.
"Our organisation is licensed by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department," she added, expressing the hope that more people would come forward through such licensed organisations to help labour do the right thing.

Ayesha is not a newcomer to offering a helping hand and for the past 11 years has worked on awareness campaigns and charity kit distribution campaigns with workers in camps.
"Each care package cost Dh15 each. I want to eventually collect more and distribute them to more workers. I also want to educate blue collared workers about the dangers of Covid-19 and the importance of social distancing," she added.
While engaged in the distribution her team and she have advised  camp managers to educate the workers about the prevention and protection against the virus and emphasis the importance of maintaining a minimum  one-meter distance between each person.
"The men take the sanitiser from small dispensers on their site and in their accommodation. Many don't have their own hand wash soap and masks either so every little bit helps the cause," she added.
Her aim is to provide hygiene kits to every construction site in Dubai, and also to  labour camps Sonapur, Sajjah, and Barsha.   

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai