As part of its commitment to support street vendors struggling with their livelihood owing to COVID-19 restrictions, Al Rahama Association has launched an initiative called ‘Al Nas le al Nas’ or ‘People for People’.

The initiative aims to support vendors who have municipality permits, such as those who sell grilled food items and start their activities in the evening. “The 

initiative will provide about RO50,000 to support this category and will initially include vendors in the wilayats of Muttrah and Seeb. The association will form an emergency committee that will visit these families and find appropriate solutions, particularly during the month of April,” an official of the association said.

It has set certain conditions for vendors to benefit from the initiative, including being Omani, the activity being their only source of income, and being a resident of the wilayats of Muttrah or Seeb. “Additionally, the vendor’s retirement salary should not exceed RO250 and must have a recent permit from the municipality to sell.

“The deadline for registration to take advantage of the initiative was April 11.”

About the association’s other efforts, he said it launched an initiative in February to help low-income and insolvent families, orphans and widows to shop for free. Called Mercy Shop, it was held at the association’s headquarters in Halban to provide food to needy families.

“More than 800 families benefited from the initiative in February, and 1,300 families in March. More than 20 companies have supported the initiative by providing, among other things, meat, chicken, drinking water, vegetables and fruits, flour, oil and tomato paste.” For families registered with it, the association will provide food baskets, iftar meals and distribute Zakat al Fitr at the end of Ramadan.