Volunteer groups lend support to Dhofar relief efforts

MUSCAT, May 27 - In order to involve young people in the national, economic and social movement, the National Youth Committee (NYC) has coordinated with various authorities to organise the movement of volunteers from Muscat and different parts of the Sultanate to the Governorate of Dhofar to offer the needed help. Earlier, NYC urged all civil and volunteer groups and associations wishing to provide assistance to register through its website for the distribution of volunteer assignments across different sectors.

The number of registrants exceeded 6,000 in one day, taking into account the area in which the volunteer wishes to participate in, to ensure an active integrated network. After registration, NYC coordinates with the National Committee for Civil Defence to identify the needs of the region during the reconstruction stage. Accordingly, NYC will sort out the registrants’ application and will send volunteers according to their specialties. The Relief and Accommodation Centre of the National Committee for Civil Defence and the Ministry of Social Development work to organise the process of supervising the efforts of volunteers.

The Director General of the Social Development Directorate in Salalah said that initially about 25 trucks loaded with necessities were already on the way to Salalah. The volunteers will help in distributing the commodities to shelters and houses, and will also assist others in cleaning shelters and schools. Mwasalat has announced that it would operate 10 buses with 500 seats to transfer volunteers to Dhofar in coordination with NYC. Omantel is also transporting 500 people to Dhofar Governorate.

Al Atta Ambassadors’ Social Team from Sidab and Nizwa Charitable Team reached Salalah before the cyclone to help in the distribution of food and water to the affected people. After the cyclone weakened, the teams assisted the authorities in removing debris from the streets.

Mai al Abria