Food aid for Filipinos in Dubai, RAK, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, UAQ: OWWA Dubai issues new rule

  DUBAI – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Dubai has issued new regulations on food assistance requests from Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. OWWA Dubai, in coordination with the Philippine Consulate in Dubai and Philippine Overseas Labor Office, has been giving out boxes of food for Filipinos displaced by the coronavirus pandemic. On Wednesday (May 6), OWWA Dubai reiterated that its food assistance is for OWWA members in Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. OWWA members who lost their jobs, or have been asked to go on unpaid leave or no work, no pay scheme may apply for food assistance. The government agency also streamlined the process of sending and receiving applications for food assistance:

New process to apply for OWWA Dubai food assistance

1. Download form through Polo Dubai website (click here)  2. Send the following documents to owwadxbfa@gmail.com: - Duly accomplished application form - Copy of valid passport - Proof of loss of employment, no work, no pay status - Proof of OWWA membership 3. A representative will contact you with information on the status of your request According to OWWA Dubai, “those who have previously submitted their application and have received a call or text from an OWWA Dubai officer do not need to submit a fresh application”. However, Filipinos who submitted an application for food assistance but did not get a call or text from an OWWA Dubai officer will need to send a fresh application form, according to the agency. Speaking to Expatmedia.net, Labour Attache Felicitas Bay said that OWWA Dubai also “recalibrated” its food box in order to “serve more OWWA members”. Bay said that basic food items have been prioritized. Bay said that 200 people have received food assistance in the first wave of the programme, with 150 more people given food aid and 175 others contacted this week to receive their box of food through the nearest WestZone supermarket. Bay had appealed to Filipinos for understanding that “the food assistance is subject to availability of funds”. “Much as we would like to address all needs, please do understand the restrictions and limitations,” she said. In April, POLO Dubai and OWWA Dubai have been inundated with hundreds of requests for food assistance. Jojo Lapore, a Dubai-based Filipino who lost his job during the pandemic, told Expatmedia.net that he received his box of food on May 3 at WestZone in Karama. Lapore (pictured above) said he almost didn’t qualify for assistance after missing to sign his application form, but that a follow up message to the agency allowed him to submit a fresh application. The Filipino said the food package he received will go a long way to sustain him during the Covid-19 crisis.  “I have been asking friends for help, but they’re also in a difficult situation financially, so this package is heaven sent,” he said in Filipino.

FAQs

Who are qualified for OWWA Dubai food assistance?

Food assistance is available to OWWA members with employment visa in Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

Are they looking to help anyone in specific?

Yes. They must be OWWA members who lost their jobs, or have been asked to go on unpaid leave or on no work, no pay scheme.

 I have previously applied for food assistance. What’s next?

Those who have previously submitted their application and have received a call or text from an OWWA Dubai officer do not need to submit a fresh application. Those who submitted an application but did not get a call or text from an OWWA Dubai officer will need to send a fresh application form. For more details, go here: http://www.polodubaiportal.org/paunawa-tungkol-sa-owwa-food-assistance-program/   https://www.expatmedia.net/westzone-disappointed-dubai-ofw-food-assistance-incident/2020/04/ https://www.expatmedia.net/polo-dubai-officer-suspended-incident-dubai-ofw-food-assistance/2020/04/
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