JEDDAH: The National Commercial Bank (NCB) is providing aid for Jeddah flood victims as part of its corporate social responsibility program.
The relief initiative will supply foodstuffs and other materials. Around 150 employees from NCB are volunteering to pack supplies and deliver them to affected families.
The first phase took place a couple of days ago, where aid was provided for around 8,000 individuals and families in collaboration with the Jeddah Takaful Committee, which is run under the umbrella of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). Twenty cars have been equipped to load, transport and distribute supplies.
The second phase involves providing aid through maintenance and cleaning victims’ houses, as well as supplying tools, household basic items and cleaning equipment.
NCB’s Vice President and Head of CSR Mahmoud Turkistani said that through the second phase, the bank would also give small loans to needy families in cooperation with charitable organizations as part of its program for productive families. He said training would be provided for affected families to be self-reliant.
Abdulkareem Abu Al-Nasr, the bank’s CEO, announced the plan after he led a delegation on a visit to some of the devastated areas in the city.
Al-Nasr emphasized that this initiative is nothing but a duty of the bank and its employees toward society, particularly in a time of crisis.
He also said that in times like these the help of all individuals and institutions from both the public and private sector is most needed.
“In such circumstances, we are all looking for ways to extend a helping hand to our brothers in ordeal, and working collaboratively is the best way,” he said.
JCCI board member Aisha Natto, who accompanied the NCB delegation on its field visit, said it was not surprising to see a major national institution performing actively and responsibly in such circumstances. “We are cooperating closely and distributing approximately 6,000 food baskets daily, and aid packages are being collected at the Jeddah International Exhibition Center. They also include medical supplies, basic furniture, blankets and clothing.”
