CORONAVIRUS DIARY: DAY #94 – Food Baskets for Life

June 13, 2020

“There is enough on this planet for everyone’s needs but not for everyone’s greed.”

Mahatma Gandhi

The problem of hunger has always existed since the middle ages. Some part of our world suffers from the threat of famine. However, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic has risen the possibility of hunger within the nations. It is because many communities and workers lost their livelihood due to its ongoing threat. We must take the responsibility of helping other people in acquiring foodstuffs for their daily meals.

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health announced 514 new COVID-19 cases with four additional deaths and 834 recoveries. It brings to a total record of 35,466 cases with 289 fatalities and 25,882 recovered cases. Within the new cases, 281 are Kuwait citizens, 63 are Indian residents, 45 are Egyptian residents, and 31 are Bangladeshi residents. In the governorates, there are 191 cases in Al Farwaniya, 115 in Al Ahmadi, 100 in Al Jahra, 74 in Hawally, and 34 in the Capital area. Among the residential areas, Al Farwaniya has the highest number of cases of about 36.

Currently, 9,295 patients are undergoing treatment as it decreased from 9,169 from the previous report. Compared to yesterday, the new number of coronavirus cases decreased.

Food Basket Distribution in the Country

In Farwaniya, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society shared a helping hand to its community. They distributed 1,000 food baskets for all its residents and workers. The photo and video below show four long queues with strict social distancing between each line. The security officials were also there to secure the area and their compliance with the precautionary health measures to prevent the transmission of coronavirus during the chis charity event. 

Today marks the 13^th day of the government’s first-phase plan. I commend the efforts of the Red Crescent Society in conducting food distributions in Farwaniya. Looking at the long queues of people, many individuals benefited from the food baskets provided by them. I am grateful for their charitable works and unceasing concern for the community. Their kindness and generosity symbolize the noble character of its citizens.

Public Advisory of Philippine Embassy in Kuwait

In Kuwait, the Philippine Embassy released another public advisory about the new website for the online appointments at their office. It aims to inform the public that those individuals who want to apply or renew their passports can use the online appointment slows on their newly established website. Click here to access the link.

They announced that booking through an online appointment is free of charge. If ever an individual is asked to pay for their online appointment, then the Embassy urged them to report it to the Embassy. Through this, the Embassy can further investigate the incident.

The Embassy requested the passport applicants who booked their online appointment successfully via the new website to read the following reminders.

1. They must fill out the Passport Application Form in advance. They can download it from the official website of the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. Click here to access the link. After filling out the form, they must bring it during their scheduled date and time of their confirmed appointment.
2. They must check the list of requirements needed for application and renewal of passport. It can be found on the official website of the Embassy.
3. They must prepare the exact amount that they need to pay for their application. For passport application or renewal only, the fee is KD 19.500 while KD26.00 is for the passport renewal with passport validity extension.
4. They must also bring bottled water and refreshment for themselves.

On June 13, 2020, before the noontime, the Embassy will open the online appointment slots for the specified dates, which are June 14 to June 18 of 2020. For future advisories, they advised the Filipino community in Kuwait to follow the Embassy’s official accounts. 

Unity and Cooperation against the Pandemic

The Department of Foreign Affairs registered 29 new COVID-19 cases of Overseas Filipinos with 116 recoveries. It brings to a total tally of 5,519 cases with 395 fatalities and 2,485 recoveries. The massive spike of reported recovered cases composes 45 percent of the total confirmed cases. It is good news for many of our fellow Filipinos abroad are recovering from the disease.

Due to the imposed measures against the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Embassy in Manila affirmed that they would cancel all the immigrant and non-immigrant visa interviews on July 3, 2020. However, they assured the applicants that they would resume routine visa service as soon as possible. For now, they still cannot provide a specific date for its resumption. Therefore, they advised all affected applicants to reschedule their visa interviews by contacting the embassy call center. They can only ask for their rescheduling if the Philippine government lifted the community quarantine in Metro Manila.

Senator Christopher Lawrence Go appealed to the Filipino community to unite and cooperate with the government’s imposed measures to ensure the country’s battle against the pandemic. He said that as we faced the struggle brought by the coronavirus, we should not forget to exhibit the character of teamwork and unity with each other.

I am thankful for the unceasing encouragement of our authorities that someday everything is going to be okay. As they continue to battle the COVID-19 with our beloved frontliners, let us continue to stay in our homes and practice the measures that prevent further transmission of the virus.

“Mga nauuhaw ay pinapainom upang masiyahan, mga nagugutom ay pawang binubusog sa mabuting bagay.”

Mga Awit 107:9

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A multi-award-winning blogger and advocate for OFWs and investment literacy; recipient of the Mass Media Advocacy Award, Philippine Expat Blog Award, and Most Outstanding Balikbayan Award. Her first book, The Global Filipino Bloggers OFW Edition, was launched at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. A certified Registered Financial Planner of the Philippines specializing in the Stock Market. A recognized author of the National Book Development Board of the Philippines. Co-founder of Teachers Specialist Organization in Kuwait (TSOK) and Filipino Bloggers in Kuwait (FBK). An international member of writing and poetry. Published more than 10 books.  Read more: About DiaryNiGracia