MERCY MISSION

KIND-SPIRITED expats living in Bahrain are providing comfort and supplies to stranded truck drivers forced to endure long waits in appalling conditions on makeshift parking bays.

Thousands of truckers are regularly delayed and restricted to staying for days on wasteland near Janabiyah as a result of the long-running chaotic system of crossing into Saudi Arabia over the Causeway.

The makeshift camp on a patch of open, dusty ground off the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Highway near Janabiyah at times resembles a cross between a refugee camp and giant lorry park.

In a bid to ease their suffering, JC Linde and volunteers from the Blessing of English Language Congregation at American Mission Hospital (AMH), have launched a mission to distribute food, water and comfort to the stranded lonely souls.

South African middle-aged Mr Linde, a former combat pilot who now dedicates his life to helping people in need, said: “I used to be a real man’s man, I did a lot of things I’m not proud of and I had some vices. But now, I’m trying to do right by God and help those in need … and these guys are definitely in need.

“They are so appreciative and it is an honour and a privilege to be able to help them.”

Mr Linde worked for the South African Airforce from 1977 to 1992. In 1994, after successfully obtaining a pilot’s licence in the US, he became a commercial pilot, later working for international distributor DHL’s postal service to Iraq and Afghanistan.

In 2007 he quit his high-flying career and after reassessing his priorities he became a full-time Evangelist.

During the past fortnight, Mr Linde and his volunteers have supplied the stranded drivers with more than 700 meals and more than 1,000 bottles of water, the cost of which has come out of their own pockets.

“We’re not doing this for thanks or recognition,” said fellow volunteer Mathew Abraham. “We heard about the situation these people are in and felt it was our Christian duty to come down and help them out by providing food, water and cards with contact numbers of the volunteers, in case they urgently needed something, or if there was a medical emergency.”

With limited supplies of food and water, and with a very real fear of running out of fuel, the drivers – many of whom are from India, Bangladesh and Nepal – were told to wait with no indication of when they could expect to continue with their journeys.

The arrival of Mr Linde and his team has been met with immense gratitude. For example, driver Alauddin Fazlumiha had been stuck on the dusty patch near the highway for two days without the most basic facilities such as a toilet or shower.

“It’s really hard being stuck here in this heat and in these conditions. I was given a ‘number’ by the traffic police and am waiting for my turn to leave,” he said.

“It’s nice to have people who care enough to come and help us out by bringing food and water, it makes things a little easier to deal with.”

When the traffic police cruise by to call the numbers of the next batch of drivers allowed to leave, there is a flurry of activity as drivers rush to their trucks, hoping it’s their turn.

Driver Santhosh Thalapoyil said that the volunteers were making a huge difference to the stranded workers – made up of several different religions and nationalities – while they waited for their numbers to be called.

“Good people are good people no matter where they’re from or what they believe in and these men are good people,” he said.

As highlighted in GulfWeekly, the kingdom has tried to establish itself as a hub for growth in the region as an ideal base with excellent links to its mighty neighbour. However, the backlogs in deliveries to and from Saudi and across the Gulf States are proving costly in many ways. Businesses are facing financial hardship and the island’s reputation suffers as a result.

The cause of the delays is well documented. The finger has been pointed at a shortage of customs officials and competent clearing agents plus a lack of space on the Saudi side. The often-quoted solution appears to be a case of creating more truck lanes, reclaiming additional land and increasing safe areas for trucks to line-up.

However, with no follow-through in sight, the drivers’ plight continues and the volunteers are ready to step in when needed.