Muscat, April 18
Residents of Shinas, both young and old, come together to showcase an incredible spirit of solidarity and cooperation in the aftermath of the recent heavy rains that damaged the wilayat's property and infrastructure.
Civil society organisations and youth, in coordination with government and private institutions and volunteer teams in the wilayat, joined forces to implement extensive cleaning campaigns that have encompassed the coastline and the removal of debris from homes and roads affected by the floods.
The comprehensive cleaning campaign commenced immediately after the floodwaters receded, with volunteers from all corners of the wilayat flocking to participate in the efforts. They managed to clean vast areas of the coastline, particularly in the villages of Abu Bakra and Khadrawin, which sustained significant damage from the floods. In addition to cleaning the coastline, volunteers also removed debris and rubble from homes and roads, facilitating the return of residents to their homes.
AID DELIVERED
The volunteers' efforts extended beyond cleaning but also included the distribution of aid to affected families. They distributed large quantities of food supplies, drinking water, essential food items and beddings. They also made sure to provide the needs of the most affected families, such as medical assistance, clothing and blankets.
Abu Al Haitham, one of the affected residents, said, "Oman is uniting in all the affected areas, not just Shinas. The young volunteers worked in my house for nearly two hours to help me and my sons clean up the thick mud caused by the floodwaters entering the house."
"Always in such crises, we see the people of this nation standing by each other to help and lend a hand in all available ways. This experience has shown the importance of teamwork and volunteering in the face of natural disasters. It has also emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation between various entities, governmental, civil and private, to ensure effective response in such cases," he added.
HAND IN HAND
Abdulrahman al Raisi, a resident of the affected area, said, "This campaign was a true embodiment of real human solidarity. I saw young people working hard to help others without stopping, and this reflects the positive spirit that we must always maintain."
Muhammad al Gharib, one of the volunteers who came to help, said, "This campaign was an opportunity for us to express our solidarity and support for our neighbours in times of need. It is our duty to support affected communities and provide assistance in any way possible."
"Young people started arriving at 7 am as there are many affected houses in the wilayat, and some of them took nearly two hours or more to clean and remove all impurities so that families can return to them. We expect these campaigns to continue in Shinas for several days due to the large number of affected houses," he added.
The Shinas Municipality is also continuing its efforts to reopen damaged roads and rectify the damage caused by the low-pressure system. Efforts are focused on removing debris and mud, and transporting waste generated by the wadis. The municipality is working around the clock in coordination with other relevant authorities to ensure a swift return to normal life in the wilayat.
ARMY CONTINUES SUPPORT
Meanwhile, the units of the Royal Army of Oman carried out operations to reopen a number of affected roads, and remove mud and dust accumulations in Al Batinah North Governorate, on Thursday in continuation of the efforts to limit the effects of the weather condition that the Sultanate of Oman experienced.
Also, the units of the Royal Army of Oman, in cooperation with the Royal Navy of Oman and the Coast Guard Police of the Royal Oman Police, contributed to returning a number of citizens and residents to their places of residence in the village of Kamzar in the Wilayat of Khasab.
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