MUSCAT: As Oman battled a powerful cyclone it has seen in more than a decade, the people in the country has joined hands to provide succour to those affected by the tropical condition. 

BankMuscat — the country’s leading financial services provider donated OMR 1 million in solidarity with national relief efforts. The bank’s contribution will be channelised through the Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO). The bank will also provide an OMR 20 million portfolio as ‘interest/profit-free’ Shaheen loans to those who were directly impacted by the cyclone. Omantel, the leading telecommunications company has also donated OMR 100,000 to OCO. “For Oman, for its people, and in order for it to remain as bright and beautiful as it was and more beautiful, we announce the allocation of OMR 100,000 to support those affected by Cyclone Shaheen,” Omantel said in an official statement. 

Oman LNG said it has allocated OMR 6 million towards relief efforts, while AhliBank and Bank Nizwa donated OMR 250,000 each. Sonar International has allocated OMR 5 million to support its customers and also offers three months deferments on personal and housing loans. 

More than 11 people died, and thousands living in shelter camps, not know how and when they will return to their houses to lead a ‘normal life’. The losses suffered by several wilayats in terms of infrastructure may run into millions and will take at least months to recover. But, amid all these, there is a silver lining — the quick thinking and collective efforts have ensured minimal damage.

His Majesty Sultan Haitian Bin Tarik formed a ministerial committee to assess the damages caused by the cyclone and oversee the relief activities, while the National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) are still on-ground to ensure people are saved from the calamity. 

The biggest take away from what the people of Oman did was standing united at the time of the biggest challenge, facing it head-on with all resources possible, while taking care of one and all. As Major General Abdullah Al Harthy, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Operations, famously said, amid his team heroically worked to save people’s lives: “We will remain in a state of emergency until every person returns to his normal life.”