Since the outbreak of Covid-19, RAI Amsterdam has been firmly committed to creating a safe, responsible and hospitable environment for everyone involved in the RAI. Efforts on other social issues that are important at this time will also continue. For example, we are looking for connections with social initiatives in the area that can use aid at this time. We’ve found several opportunities, including donating leftover supplies, volunteering and using our network and facilities.
Leftover food and drink supplies have already found a good destination. These have been donated to various organisations that could make good use of the products, including the Food Bank, The Salvation Army, the Rainbow Group, Puur Zuid Amsterdam and the Buurzaam Thuis initiative. An initiative that provides meals during the corona crisis, for Amsterdammers who can use it well due to their health or age. Wouter Plaatsman, who started this initiative: “The customers of Buurzaam will receive a round of beverages from the RAI five times in the coming week and we have water for our drivers for the next two months. On behalf of all our neighbours: cheers and thanks!”
Employees are committed to social initiatives
Various RAI employees volunteer this time for various social initiatives in the region. For example by delivering donations for the Rainbow Group in Amsterdam and by being a call buddy for older Amsterdammers. “We share volunteer requests among employees who have registered for this. Various employees have already committed themselves in this way to requests for help from social initiatives. They are happy to use their time, knowledge and expertise to contribute where it is urgently needed due to this crisis,” says Stephanie Mathas, CSR Manager RAI Amsterdam.
A wide network and a variety of facilities
The network and various facilities of the RAI are also suitable for helping people today. Horecava, the catering industry event and online platform of the RAI, uses its network to support the catering industry in the Netherlands with #hartvoordehoreca and, for example, to collect food for the homeless. The RAI also joined an initiative of its partner CSU, schoonvooronzehelden.nl, which provides additional cleaning assistance in places where it is currently urgently needed: from general practitioner posts, food banks to homeless centers, but also at home with people who work in vital sectors.
Since 2 June, the Area Health Authority GGD is using part of our complex and our facilities. A test street has been set up to allow Amsterdammers to test for corona by bicycle, on foot or from their car window. We also offer parking facilities for teaching staff at a reduced rate. “Only together we can control corona and its impact. If there are social initiatives with requests in which the RAI can help, we would like to hear about it so we can investigate what is possible,” says Mathas.