Arada has rolled out a raft of new initiatives designed to support a wide swathe of the Sharjah community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The package includes the donation of sanitation gates for emergency services and free meals for healthcare workers, of which over 1,000 have already been delivered, as well as free sanitation packs for residents at Arada’s communities.

The most significant part of Aljada’s support package involves a contribution to the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA)’s ‘For Knowledge We Join Hands’ initiative, which has been set up to assist the many thousands of students in Sharjah who have been unable to afford the equipment necessary to take part in the distance learning schemes that have been mandated by local authorities in the UAE.

Arada’s donation and its collaboration with global IT giant HP Inc. will enable the delivery of 1,000 laptops to Sharjah-based students. Each donated laptop will be distributed to students in need via their school, while the SPEA will record the serial number and name of every donated laptop and follow up with the schools to ensure that the students that receive the laptops are using them correctly.

HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Arada, said: “As one of Sharjah’s most prominent companies, it is our duty to support not only those who are suffering during these challenging times, but also to look after those who are working so hard to keep us safe. On behalf of everyone at Arada, I would like to pay tribute to everyone working in the front line against this pandemic, including healthcare sector employees and emergency service responders.

“Our joint efforts with HP will provide the students who receive this equipment with best-in-class technology to make the most of their classes. It’s our responsibility to help enable all students, no matter their background, to continue their education during these incredibly challenging times.”

Mathew Thomas, vice president and managing director, Middle East, HP Inc., said: “This pandemic situation will be with us for some time. This is a moment where we all have to look out for each other and support those in need. Our collaboration with Arada will help students to continue learning and maximise their potential. Only together we will overcome this challenge.”

As well as its contribution towards distance learning, Arada has also donated a number of sanitation gates to emergency service providers across Sharjah. Each gate has been specially designed to ensure that emergency workers can perform their duties to a high level of safety and efficiency, while visitors to key institutions are also protected.

The locations that have received the sanitation gates include Sharjah Police Station on Maliha Road, which has been the one of the busiest facilities for the police during the current pandemic; Sharjah Civil Defense Station on University City Road; and Al Qassimi Hospital and Kuwait Hospital, both of which have played key roles during the public health crisis. Arada will continue to provide maintenance and support services for the gates as long as they are required.

Arada has also installed a fifth cabin at the entrance to the Aljada Discovery Centre to ensure the health and safety of employees and visitors to the recently opened Madar at Aljada entertainment complex.

Arada’s third initiative has seen the developer tie up with food outlets at Zad, the new food district at Madar at Aljada, to deliver free meals to frontline healthcare workers. So far, more than 1,000 meals have been donated to employees at two of Sharjah’s largest healthcare sites, Al Qassimi Hospital and Kuwait Hospital. Deliveries are currently ongoing, with iftar meals being provided during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Finally, Arada is providing residents who have moved into its first project, Nasma Residences, with free care packs containing material to protect their health and safety. The developer is also carrying out weekly disinfection of common spaces at the community.