ISLAMABAD: Public and private sector organisations and individuals have started helping those rendered jobless due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Idrees Khan, a labourer who sits at CDA Chowk on IJP Road to get work, told Dawn that in the past a large number of contractors and others hired people as daily-wage labourers. He said he and others used to earn Rs500 to Rs1,000 daily depending on the nature of the work.

“Some people used to come here to engage labourers for either shifting goods from one house to another or moving furniture and refrigerators etc to upper portion of their houses. However, now hardly anyone comes here. On the other hand, we are ready to work even for Rs300,” he said.

“But people also come here and distribute edible items among us. So we are thankful to God that at least we are getting food,” he said.

Another labourer, Saeed Khan, said they would sleep without food if people did not provide them food.

“We are not beggars so we cannot spread our hands in front of people. Thank God people come here and tell us to make queues and then hand over rice or curry to every person,” he said.

Moreover, a number of people have started circulating messages on social media that they want to help the poor and were requesting to inform them about deserving people.

Similarly, employees of Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL) have donated their two-day salary in the PM’s Relief Fund established to mitigate financial sufferings of the affected people.

According to a statement, OGDCL chief Shahid Saleem Khan handed over a cheque for Rs5.3 million to Special Assistance to Prime Minister on Relief Fund Nadeem Babar.

“During these challenging times, it is our duty to join hands and demonstrate collective efforts as no challenge is insurmountable,” Mr Shahid said.

Meanwhile, OGDCL I-9 hostel building has been converted into a quarantine centre where medicines, meal, bottled water, personal protective equipment, sanitisers and masks would be provided.

The facility consisting of 30 rooms has been equipped with all the medical care required for the Covid-19 patients. Besides, a fully equipped ambulance with a ventilator has been placed at a standby at the centre.

Moreover, Serena Hotels have started distributing rations to communities in locations surrounding their hotels countrywide.

More than 3,400 deserving families and households in areas where hotels are located such as Islamabad, Faisalabad, Quetta, Swat, Gilgit, Hunza, Shigar and Khaplu have been provided rations.

In addition, employees of the hotels have donated their one-day’s salary with the company making a double matching donation to contribute Rs10 million to the prime minister’s fund.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2020