Tons of basic essential supplies were collected and distributed to people affected by the floods. Volunteers are now calling for more helping hands and supplies.

“I’m always excited to see volunteers coming from all around Jeddah to give a hand to the unfortunate people and victims of floods and rain,” said Maha Taher, co-founder of the Young Initiative Group, a Jeddah-based welfare organization.

“We’ve learned that many houses were damaged and that many people in south Jeddah lost everything they own. Our role is to collect essential items and distribute them to the needy,” said Taher.

Supplies are fast running out and volunteers are now calling for more items. “We’ve received a great deal of things but we still need more food and clothing for the poor people in south Jeddah. We’ve updated our lists and need more hands,” said Taher. “We no longer need volunteers to pack but need more people to buy and collect supplies and then drop them off at the center,” she added.

Using social networking sites, emails and text messages, the group is distributing lists of items needed for distribution. “We’ve used all kinds of technology to help us communicate with people in Jeddah who’ve been kind to send us all sorts of supplies for the needy,” she said.

“The list includes food, furniture, clothing, candles, medicines and other essential goods.”

Volunteers are divided into two groups: people who will remain at the center and others who are required to go out and distribute items. “We’ve made a list of young men who own 4X4s to go to damaged locations to take photos of neighborhoods and to see what the people in these areas need so we can provide them with those items later,” said Aram Gabbani, a volunteer at the center.

“The other group packs items into boxes and keeps them ready for those with 4X4s to collect and distribute,” she added.

Baghdadiah, Bani Malik, Karantina and other districts located in south Jeddah are the most affected by the floods.

“I am part of the scanning team,” said Mohammed Kame, one of the volunteers. “I went to the Karantina district and found that the rainwater was halfway up my legs. Together with four other volunteers, we knocked on doors to ask families what they needed and made lists,” he said.

“We later wrote a report to the head volunteer who later provided us with pumps to suck water out from the streets.”