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Indian missions' intensive outreach with online meetings; passes for volunteer work Ambassador Dr. Ausaf explains multipronged measures to combat coronavirus
Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah are making intensive efforts to reach out to members of the three million strong community to ensure their well being and stem the spread of coronavirus among them, according to Ambassador Dr. Ausaf Sayeed. In an exclusive online interview with Saudi Gazette, he said, as part of the all-out efforts to ensure the safety of the Indian nationals and lend a quick helping hand to those in distress, a series of online meetings will be held over the coming days and passes are being issued to facilitate unhindered volunteering service. "We are scheduling the first meeting of prominent community members and social workers from all over the Kingdom, most probably on Tuesday and this will be followed by a press conference with the Indian media persons on Wednesday or Thursday. A series of meetings are planned, with participation of 15 or 16 representatives in each session," he said. Dr. Sayeed emphasized that volunteering will be encouraged to reach out to those who are in dire situations. "At the Embassy, the community welfare wing has started issuing passes selectively to community members and social workers who are in the field and the Jeddah Consulate has also been instructed to follow suite. The embassy even considered the request that came from outside its jurisdiction," the ambassador said while pointing out about issuing pass to a community member from Jazan. The Indian envoy said that all the arrangements are in place to render quick medical services to those having symptoms of coronavirus. "We have set up a dedicated 24X7 COVID-19 helpline for our nationals, over and above our regular helplines. We have also created a WhatsApp group of selected doctors from all over the Kingdom and if we get any distress call through this helpline seeking medical advice and help, we refer this to the concerned Indian doctors and they will contact the nearest cases over the phone and address the issue," he said. Dr. Sayeed said the Indian mission is in close touch with all the major companies that employ a large number of Indian workers who are now staying back in their camps. "We have requested the employers to ensure that all preventive measures such as enforcing social distancing norms, maintaining hygiene and sanitation and adequate monitoring of the health of the workers are put in place. Some of these companies have proactively reached out to us and have assured us of making all necessary arrangements." He said that the Indian mission is also taking the help of the community organizations and social workers to monitor the situation closely. "We will work in close coordination with Saudi authorities to put to use whatever facilities and infrastructure we have at our disposal to control the spread of the disease." Reacting to demands for utilizing the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) to meet COVID-19 emergencies, the ambassador said the ICWF is meant to help out the Indian nationals under distress. "We have been utilizing this facility regularly for the last many years. While the situation in the Kingdom seems to be largely under control, thanks to the proactive efforts of the Saudi government, we are exploring all options to deal with any exigency in case the infection blows out of proportion," he said while emphasizing that expenditure of all such measures would be covered under the ICWF. The ambassador deeply appreciated the decisive measures taken by the Saudi government, headed by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman to contain the spread of coronavirus and ensure the health and safety of people. "The announcement of free treatment for the COVID-19 patients, both for Saudi nationals and expatriates irrespective of their residency status is highly commendable. We express full solidarity with the efforts made by Saudi Arabia to overcome the impact of this pandemic." He noted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a phone call with the Crown Prince last month to discuss the implications of the pandemic. "Subsequently, our prime minister participated in the G20 Virtual Summit chaired by King Salman to discuss the global impact and the response to the crisis. Based on the directives of the Indian leaders, we are working closely with the Saudi authorities to ensure the welfare of the Indian Diaspora through various means." Dr. Sayeed said as of now there is no plan to repatriate Indian nationals. "As all of us are aware, there is a complete lockdown in both India and Saudi Arabia at the moment and no flights are operational from either side. Any mass travel could aggravate the situation and as such it is the best for the Indian nationals to stay where they are and strictly comply with the social distancing measures." "We have close coordination with the authorities in both India and Saudi Arabia to see when the situation is conducive for any decision pertaining to repatriation of Indians. We are monitoring the situation on real time basis and appropriate decisions would be taken as per the requirements of that time," he said while underlining that there will be prioritization in the repatriation of Indian nationals especially chronic patients, pregnant women and elderly people who face an emergency situation and that would only be if the situation is conducive. He noted that the situation remains under control at the moment. "We are in touch with the Saudi authorities for the best course of action and the medical facilities available in the Kingdom seem to be adequate enough to meet the requirements of COVID-19 patients." The ambassador urged the Indian community members to adhere to all the precautionary measures that are being taken to control the pandemic. "I request the community to extend full support to the Saudi authorities in dealing with the situation, and approach nearby health facilities, in case of COVID-19 related symptoms immediately. The effort of every individual in this regard to show a high degree of responsibility and self-discipline is very important." "I would like to reassure all members of the Indian community that the Embassy of India is at their disposal day and night and the Embassy is always their ‘Home away from Home'. We are in close and regular contact with both the Saudi and Indian authorities for the welfare of our citizens and we will leave no stone unturned for the welfare of our citizens in the Kingdom," he added. Labor camp corona cases handled successfully –CG Indian Consul General Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh said that all the precautionary and preventive measures are being taken to ensure the safety of Indian nationals living in the western region of Saudi Arabia. "We are working closely in touch with the community leaders and social workers in fighting the pandemic and that is in complete coordination with the local Saudi authorities. "When some coronavirus cases were reported in a labor camp in Jeddah, we intervened very strongly and transferred 11 workers to a hotel for medical isolation. This was in complete coordination with the local authorities and the company management, and as of now, the situation is very much under control," he said. Sheikh said the consulate is in the forefront of assistance whenever it is required. "Today, we extended cooperation to volunteers of Kerala Muslim Cultural Center (KMCC) to distribute essential goods to 75 Indian female workers. We are coordinating with volunteers to distribute food in designated areas." He said that the consulate will issue the necessary passes to social workers in addition to the one-year valid letters issued earlier for community welfare work. The Consul General stressed that any Indian expatriate, who has any symptoms of coronavirus, must immediately contact hospitals and health centers without any delay. "Social distancing, using masks and other precautions have also to be taken care of," he said while asking to contact the 24-hour helpline in case of emergencies. Riyadh Embassy COVID-19 Helpline: +966 546103992; Email: [email protected] Jeddah Consulate Helpline: 012 22614093 (Landline), 8002440003 (Toll-free), 00966 - 556122301 (WhatsApp). Email: [email protected]
