Choithrams, Al Jalila Foundation Team Up Against COVID-19

Choithram International Foundation announces a grant to Al Jalila Foundation, donates personal protective equipment kits to keep the most vulnerable in Dubai’s frontline safe

Date: Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 26, 2020: 

Choithram International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Choithrams, the leading supermarket chain in the UAE, has announced an emergency grant to Al Jalila Foundation, a member of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.

The grant of AED 100,000 will boost the Foundation’s response capacity towards securing the nation against global pandemics including COVID-19. The partnership is inspired by the leadership of the UAE that has called upon the nation to unite during this critical time.

In a message to the world on the first of April, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said “We are stronger when we are united. After this pandemic, the world will need a different kind of health, economic and political cooperation that quickly adapts to crises.”

Choithrams was swift to respond and immediately implemented a multi-faceted plan to provide the most vulnerable and exposed segment of the community with personal protective equipment kits. The move aims to safeguard the recipients from the threat of COVID-19 outbreak within closed staff accommodation camps and their away-from-work living environments. As more and more organizations commit to the safety of employees and customers, Choithrams is taking a step further to provide protection to those members of the community who have limited access to personal protective gear by collaborating with Al Jalila Foundation.

The community-focused retail brand’s Chairman Mr. L.T. Pagarani said, “This is not the time for short term gains. We stand together, and we seek to work with our partners to ensure Dubai remains safe in the short as well as long-term. Our collaboration with Al Jalila Foundation will help realize this vision with immediate positive impact. Further, we are taking active measures in-store and online to ensure safety for all. This is what Choithrams’ ‘Full of Goodness’ vision is about.”

According to the Director General of World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, “COVID-19 is a serious disease, it’s the defining global health crisis of our time. That’s why we’re calling on every country and every individual to do everything they can to help us stop the transmission.” Choithrams’ move is expected to encourage more entities in the private sector to collaborate with the public sector as well as communities to step up and ensure risk-free living for all.

Mr. Pagarani added, “Operating at the heart of supply chain, we understand that distribution of personal protective equipment in this critical time needs to be managed carefully to curb transmission of the disease. We look forward to extending our circle of goodness towards keeping the UAE safe.”

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, said,      “It’s inspiring to see all sectors of society come together to support the UAE’s incredible efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic. This is a collective fight and we must each do our part to protect the health and safety of our communities so that we can emerge from this stronger. We are grateful to Choithrams for the generous donation; with the support of our partners the investments we make today will pave the way for groundbreaking medical discoveries that could save millions of lives.”

Among the 1,200 items of personal protective equipment donated are: sanitization gel, gloves, wet wipes, face tissues and medical masks. The items are packed inside a kit, each kit will help a recipient follow the personal hygiene guidelines advocated by the local health authorities.

Last month, Choithrams issued a reassuring statement to Dubai residents to help manage wider concerns: “Following the guidelines of local health authorities, we have responded immediately to ensure stringent sanitization protocols are implemented within our fleet, delivery and customer facing teams. Our kitchens continue to operate under the highest HSE standards. Support staff are advised to take precautionary measures tirelessly.

We are committed to delivering our promise of goodness, through our product range, through our services, through our impact on the society at large and through our lasting relationship of over 75 years in business.”

Choithrams is sending out messages to customers regularly, to maintain appropriate distancing while shopping and at the checkout. Customers who are vulnerable or are self-isolating are invited to use the much-improved online store. Shopping carts and other touch points are being deep cleaned in addition to daily deep cleaning of the stores.