Bahrain is approaching the tail end of a record setting summer, with 20 days where the temperature exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, and one community organisation is doing its best to make sure everyone in Bahrain stays cool and hydrated.

As global temperatures continue to rise, Discover Islam has been organising the Beat the Heat initiative for the last four years, distributing water, fruit, nutritional capsules and caps to mostly migrant workers as they take a break from work. 

Despite the policy efforts of the government such as the summer work ban, workers especially labourers are exposed to high temperatures and intense harmful ultraviolet radiation that can cause a slew of health concerns, including skin cancer, damage to the eyes and suppression of the immune system.

Ongoing analyses done at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies show that average global temperatures have risen about 0.8 degrees Celsius since 1880, most of which has occurred since 1975.

Especially at the equator, this effect has had a pronounced effect on health, particularly of those constantly exposed to sunlight, which could lead to the loss of 80 million jobs by 2030 with people being unable to work due to the health risks posed by higher temperatures.

A report by the International Labour Organisation stated that Bahrain will be the second Arab country most affected by heat stress resulting in loss of working hours by 2030.

Syed Haneef, chief volunteer coordinator at Discover Islam said: “Every year, Bahrain’s summers seem to get hotter and we just want to do our bit to help the marginalised members of society. Every week, well-wishers help us out with extra fruit or food, which we pass on to the workers we hand out water bottles and energy drinks to.”

Under the ban, outdoor work is not permitted between noon and 3pm every day during July and August annually. However, as temperatures start to rise at 9am during the summers, labourers can sometimes find themselves parched before their midday break.

This is where Beat the Heat comes in, at least on weekends. They head out around 9am to several spots around the kingdom, equipped with water bottles, Pocari Sweat (a Japanese low-sugar energy drink), fruit as well as any other contributions from volunteers.

They usually set up in spots around the island frequented by the kingdom’s expat labourers, like bus stops and terminals, and hand out the beverages and fruit to all those who may need it, irrespective of nationality, cultural or religious background.

Their “stations” set up around Bahrain, including locations in Askar, Salmabad and Tubli, have attracted nearly 4,000 workers so far.

The volunteers have been doing this for the past 16 weeks and aim to top their record last year, which was 25 weeks having risen consistently since their initial year level of seven weeks, and serve at least 2,000 more workers.

Syed added: “I was driving with some friends from Manama to Dragon City a few years ago and noticed all these workers who were out in the sun dehydrated and sun-burned. We felt really bad because compared to them, we are blessed.

“I wanted to help so we brought the idea to Discover Islam and they went with it. It’s been great but we want to find ways to do more. We have had some businesses express an interest to help out where possible. There are many people who stop by when we are at our table and join us.”

The team is regularly helped by individual and organisation well-wishers including Pocari Sweat, Hi Tea, Dasmah Bakery and Dream Gold Jewellers. Well-wishers routinely drop off fruits, hats and food to support the initiative.

In winter, the group switches up their efforts, kicking off the Beat the Cold campaign, during which they visit worker camps and distribute blankets in addition to the usual fare.

The organisation, founded in 1987, has many such initiatives intended for all Bahraini residents irrespective of religion or nationality.

As many as 20 volunteers join the efforts on the weekend, but the group is looking to expand their efforts amongst migrant workers.

To volunteer with the Beat the Heat or Beat the Cold campaign, contact Syed via WhatsApp on 36221399, and follow the Discover Islam pages on Facebook and Instagram to find out where the next Beat the Heat booth is going to be.