IFF volunteers lend helping hand in filling EC forms in Dammam

Dammam, Apr 29: India Fraternity Forum (IFF) and volunteers from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mangalore local organizations have taken up the task of filling and verifying Emergency Certificate (EC) forms at VFS office (Indian Embassy Passport Collection Center) in Dammam as it is found that many Indians find it difficult to fill the EC Forms on their own.

EC form filling/verification service was provide on Thursday with six volunteers from 9am to 2 pm and on Friday the number of volunteer were increased to eight due to heavy rush. The volunteers were at VFS office from 7am to 4pm. This service helped hundreds of Indian in submitting EC forms. It was also made clear to every applicant that submission of EC form is process of gathering data by Embassy of India, to approach Saudi Authorities seeking EXIT for them.

Embassy of India said in a press release said: "The collection of applications for Emergency Certificates (ECs) for those Indians wanting to leave Saudi Arabia but have not been able to get exit is continuing. The collection centers set up at the Indian Schools namely IIS Riyadh, IIPS Riyadh, IIS Dammam, IIS Jeddah, IIS Jubail, IIS Buraidah, IIS Al-Khafji, IIS Taif, IIS Majmah and IIS Tabuk are fully functional. The Embassy has already been approached by over 50,000 Indian nationals for ECs. The Embassy urges every Indian national wanting to leave Saudi Arabia on final exit, but does not have valid Indian and/or Saudi documents, to register with the Embassy by submitting EC application forms so that their cases can be taken up expeditiously with the concerned Saudi authorities within the framework of applicable Saudi laws”.

Mr. Waheed Mohammed social worker from Hyderabad said "Indian community is thankful to Embassy of India for extending service to collect EC form at IISD and VFS at various location in Eastern province, indeed this was great decision by Embassy that was appreciated by every Indian citizen".

Mr. Abdussalam Master, IFF Eastern province coordinator, added. " We established a helpline since the beginning and the response encouraged us to start a help desk. India Fraternity Forum will continue to support the Indian community to maximize the utilization of grace period granted by Cutodian of Holy Mosques HRH King Abdullah.”