Valentine’s Day: Sahara Group urges global action to cushion impact of COVID-19

Mr Andrew Laven, Chief Operating Officer, Sahara Energy Resources DMCC Dubai, has called for collective action from citizens across the world to reach out and make life better for others as nations combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement issued by Mr Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, on Monday in Lagos said Laven made the call while unveiling the group’s ‘#Reachoutthisvalentine’ campaign ahead of the 2021 Valentine’s Day celebration.

Laven said cushioning the impact of the pandemic and ultimately defeating the virus required intervention by a “global coalition of responders” and should be the focus of this year’s celebration.

He said: “What we are witnessing across the globe is unprecedented in terms of the scale of grief and loss on account of the pandemic.

“When you add to this the fact that simultaneously, the world also must combat hunger, other diseases, and huge human development index gaps, it becomes clear that we must all support one another.

“At Sahara Group, we believe that this year’s Valentine celebration presents the perfect platform for us to reach out and give others a reason to smile.”

According to him, the ‘#Reachoutthisvalentine’ campaign will be celebrated across Sahara Group’s locations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

He said this would include employee volunteer activities in the areas of education, health, environment, capacity building, and sundry donations to reinforce the fight against the pandemic.

“Sahara Group is delighted to promote this campaign and we urge global participation, ultimately hoping that reaching out to others will be a way of life for individuals, businesses and nations across the globe.

“In Dubai, we will be supporting the local communities and organisations who are focused on those in greatest need,” Laven noted.

He said global updates show that COVID-19 cases currently stand at over 106,000,000 while more than 2,000,000 people have lost their lives to the pandemic.

Laven said Sahara Group’s contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic included donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) and driving COVID-19 awareness and education in sub-Saharan Africa through educational literature in indigenous languages.

He said the group also led the delivery of the 300-bed Thisday Dome Isolation and Treatment Centre in Nigeria and donation of medical equipment, including fully equipped world-class Intensive Care Units to the centre and other medical facilities.