Let's congratulate Speed (and you!)
Admin Note : QLers have a lot of heart! Good work Speed and all of those who are assisting those affected by the fire. You can get involved here and here.
The Gulf Times ran this report today : Aid pledges pour in after camp blaze By Ramesh Mathew
THE chairman of a fire-ravaged labour camp has cut short a business trip abroad and offered immediate financial assistance to workers who saw their belongings go up in smoke.
The boss was in Europe when the site in Ain Khalid went up in flames – leaving many labourers possessing only the clothes on their backs.
When he learned of the tragedy, the chairman immediately cancelled the rest of his plans to fly back to Qatar.Expressing his deep sympathy, a spokesman for the HBK Group of Companies told Gulf Times that the company would give each worker QR150 to tide them over for the next few days – with promises of more to come.
He revealed: “The company has already agreed to provide more assistance to workers in the coming days, possibly after the arrival of the chairman. The company has also provided alternative accommodation and food to the affected workers and we are in the process of investigating whether they require any clothes.”
The fire broke out around lunchtime on Sunday, quickly engulfing the camp in a wall of flame that destroyed a large number of temporary homes.With the workers away from the site, there were no casualties reported but many of them lost their belongings, including money. One man claimed to have lost QR2,600 in the inferno. However, contrary to earlier reports, no vehicles were damaged in the fire.
After Gulf Times highlighted the plight of the 600 workers it triggered a rapid and heartfelt response from Doha residents with one community website being among the first to organise aid donations.
Posting a plea on Qatar Living, the samaritan named ‘Speed’ urged other members to gather blankets, sheets, mattresses, clothes, shoes and food items. His call was immediately answered with pledges of help.
Meanwhile, a team of officials from the Indian embassy visited the site yesterday to see what they could do to assist.
Of the 600 workers living at the camp, most were discovered to be Nepalese with less than a 100 being Indian nationals. According to embassy officials, no one reported the loss of a passport.The Indian Community Benevolent Fund (ICBF) also visited the scene of the fire, with its new chairman Dr Mohan Thomas pledging help if needed.
However, Nepalese Ambassador Dr Sumit Mishra said he had been unaware of the blaze until yesterday evening.“Two officials of our embassy visited the site in the evening and spoke to some of the workers,” said the envoy. He assured the Nepalese workers of his embassy’s support.
He added: “No one from the camp has sought the mission’s help following the fire.”
The HBK spokesman added that the company was hoping to rebuild the camp as soon as official permission has been granted.
Finally someone is talking less and working more.
There is still a long way to go and the accolades will keep on coming for those who are sincere in their charity work.
Speed, congrats on the good work you managed to accomplish.
Was nice running into you the other night.
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Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
Haytt is over in the morning . read Scarlett thread
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errr thexonic.. hyatt plaza? you should go to MB Salwa buddy TONIGHT.. :)
[img_assist|nid=12867|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.
Congrats speed. U got a great job done :D. I'm proud of u. By the way I will come to hyatt plaza to give out my stuff tonight. So cya there.
IF EVERYONE WAS TO TAKE AN EYE FOR AN EYE, THE WHOLE WORLD WOULD'VE BEEN BLIND TODAY - MAHATMA GANDHI
Dear speed, Scarlet and well wisher
Today morning i visit with ROTA representative HBK Power cleaning camp , we spoke with General Manager and Project coordinator , they show the all what happened and where happened and fired aria + he brief us about looses i got these point from them
1. Every things under controlled its small challenge for them.
2. Only 7 cabins were damaged by fire and there were 80 workers rooms was damaged only rest of room under controlled( or ok as usual)
3. Workers are already shifted to the safe camp and working as usual.
4. Only few workers cloths and others items burn .they already give money , cloths and food free since fired.
5. Financial controller is calculating that how much looses by fire even they are keeping record who loosed money and ornaments also.not only that they will give money as worker clamed .
6. They will not accept any help or charity individuals and organization because i wrote before its sheikh’s company not ordinary business man’s company.
7. They are very upset with what happening outside that because of fire some peoples are collecting money ,cloths and food stuffs
8. Managements and worker’s both did not ask for any help.
I humble suggest you guys,
1. Do not distribute any donation or stuff unless managements or workers ask for help
2. If you really wants to help there is thousands of other workers seeking help ( low paid workers, long time not been paid salary, living in poor condition with out health care facility, not provided RP by company , waiting their sponsor in the Doha airport since 3 /4 days) lets say abandoned .
3. Be sure don’t do any thing which will be punishable for you and other well wisher by Qatar Labor law
4. Think twice doing anything before
Other information other more information send me PM.
kudos to Speed and those who assisted in small ang big ways. such deed will bring back multiple returns!
I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it. ~Charles Schulz
Way to go Speed! I am so glad I belong to the QL community.. This morning I gave old clothes and shoes to my colleagues who went around soliciting donations in our company..She even sent an email to the whole organization about it..It felt so good to know that I was able to help in my own little way..I take my hat off to all you nameless and faceless heroes of QL!!
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away."
Qlers are proud of you:-)
"Fascinated with Supercars but can’t afford it yet, so I settle down for a humble Jeepney. Proud Noypi!"
i will also aaperciate the efforts Gulf Times....
it has also published the news reagrding the plight of labours today and have mentioned in it the QL meeting points....
Good Support......
Link below for the article....
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=215768&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
This is all because of your and all Qlers support ! without which it was impossible for me to arrange donation on such a huge level alone..
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congratulation speed on what you are doing we all are very happy to be a part of this and lend a helping hand we all really appriciate it,....
Life is a mystery..... you never know whats next.....
mods.. please include this link from our group.. http://www.qatarliving.com/node/101860 thanks.. just in case Filipino members pass by this thread.. :)
[img_assist|nid=12867|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.
Speed ... well done ... and i see you tomorrow ...
We will meet you guys on the following collection points :
LOCATION 1:
Hyatt Plaza
Wednesday
9 - 10 am
Parking Lot - under the huge grocery cart
LOCTION 2:
by the Mercedes showroom on Salwa Rd.
Wednesday
6:30 PM until 8:30 PM (or 18:30 to 20:30 for those of you with military time)
click link for more details: http://www.qatarlivi...
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he is gonna sue him now ;-)
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I suggest Gulf time when ever making news of any diplomats don’t write wrong name ,Nepalese Ambassador Name is not Dr Sumit Mishra his Name is Dr Surya Nath Misra
We should Thanks to Qatari for providing us such a great platform, without which, it would have been very difficult to arrange donations in such a short notice. This is because of QL and ofcourse ALL THE QLERS !!
Thank you Qatari.
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On the post and to the rest of QL it's nice to know that there are people who do care when so many don't.
Excellent work done by speed! His initiative is highly appreciated
Its really great that Every 1 can make a difference through QL, Speed good job on the quick action that u took ... I guess u r keeping up to ur id "Speed" :)
thanks for your great heart and for your fast help
God bless you.
:-)
*WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU KNEW YOU COULD NOT FAIL?*
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/home
Well done speed.....& Qatari
Speed for the pledge ....&.... Qatari for the platform he could pledge it from!
The company is giving each person QR150...lol
....most probably from the workers wages as advance...lol
....and how could they lose their passports.....they dont possess it...its most probably with their company Mandoop...lol
Alhamdullilah - Thanks to God, Am so proud of QL ... it's not me its because of ALL THE QLERS ! I always believe in Team work .... thanks you folks and keep coming the donations.
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QL is again serving its purpose.. :) well done everyone, and to those who initiate this deed..
[img_assist|nid=12867|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.
Bravoo Sarmad!!!
"You can imprison a Man, but not an Idea. You can exile a Man, but not an Idea. You can kill a Man, but not an Idea." BENAZIR BHUTTO
really good work.....
Speed....Great work .
a round of applause for having a good heart for those whose in need..... clap! clap! clap! clap!
"Be of good courage and HE shall strengthen thine heart..."
Kudos my friend for all your quick efforts in this tragedy.
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
--Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)
well done speed, God bless U
masha allah. God bless u
Kudos to SPEED and everyone else to heard his call
Bless
I may be blonde but I am wise
smile lots laugh more
Congratulations SPEED...and to all other members of QL who contributed to this cause