More than 800 essential items have been donated to a shelter housing individuals and families affected by the escalating regional tensions.
The much-needed supplies were provided by Our Responsibility, a registered non-profit organisation that supports orphans, children in need and vulnerable families.
Volunteers purchased the items on the same day the request was received to ensure those affected received immediate assistance.
The donated items included mattresses, pillows, blankets, cleaning supplies, garbage bags, sugar, water, plastic plates and cups and kettles.
“When the attacks first happened, we immediately applied through the National Volunteering Platform to help support national efforts,” the organisation’s founder Rayana Sayyar told the GDN.
“We were then contacted and asked to help provide these supplies, which were needed immediately. I posted the request on our Instagram page and we received the funds soon after.”
Around BD1,300 was raised to purchase items on the request list, with volunteers heading to a nearby supermarket to buy them.
Ms Sayyar said the initiative was simply the organisation doing its part during a difficult time, adding that she felt proud to see how Bahrain had come together in the face of uncertainty.
“When we arrived at the shelter, I must admit I expected to see chaos, but everything was actually very clean, organised and under control,” she explained.
“This made me extremely proud, especially as a Bahraini, to see how quickly our government and community responded and reassured everyone that we are safe.”
Ms Sayyar added that the organisation is also planning to assist with renovation efforts for homes affected by the attacks in Hidd and Sitra, although further details cannot yet be shared.
“The government has already said they will cover the costs of the damages, but we want to support families by providing whatever else they may need,” she said, noting that the group may assist with household essentials once repair work is completed.
She added that many individuals and families have since reached out for help.
“Many people in Bahrain have relatives they can stay with if their homes are damaged, but life is already difficult and some of them need assistance with food or hygiene products. We want them to know that we are here to help where we can.”
They organisation has also distributed Ramadan food boxes to affected families.
“It is our responsibility as a community to do our part to help people who need it,” Ms Sayyar said.
Last month, the group launched an official website aimed at helping struggling families and individuals in Bahrain access financial support for a wide range of challenges, including debt settlements to educational sponsorship, renovation projects and food support initiatives during the holy month.
The platform was introduced to help make it easier for people in need to seek and receive support, while also allowing donors to contribute to various initiatives.
Current projects include providing meals for families, purchasing Eid clothing for children, supporting medical treatments, offering general assistance to the organisation and more.
What began as an Instagram page in 2023 has since grown into a fully established non-profit group dedicated to supporting orphans, vulnerable children and families across Bahrain.
The GDN previously reported that more than 2,600 evacuees were housed in 10 emergency shelters across Bahrain. Juffair residents were evacuated by the Interior Ministry to emergency shelters, run by its Crisis and Disaster Management Directorate, following the Iranian missile attacks on the US Navy Base.
One of the shelters was located at Ahmed Al Omran Secondary Boys School in Hoora, which was able to host more than 900 people.
For more information, visit @ourresponsibility.bh on Instagram.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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