Nearly 10,000 Indian workers, who were recently laid off, and on the brink of starvation for the last three days in Saudi city Jeddah, got some relief after the Indian consulate and community there pitched in to distribute almost 16,000 kilograms of food to them.

Indian Consulate n Indian Community Jeddah food stuff distribution mission accomplished at 245 AM today morning. Kudos to all. @123nrs

— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) July 31, 2016

Low oil prices have forced the Saudi government to slash spending since last year, putting heavy pressure on the finances of local construction firms which rely on state contracts. Due to this many Indians have lost their jobs. The workers were left without any money to buy food or travel back to India.

In a series of tweets, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said: The Indian government is making all efforts to bring back the 10,000 Indian workers rendered jobless in Saudi Arabia.

Large number of Indians have lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The employers have not paid wages closed down their factories. /1

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2016

As a result our brothers and sisters in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are facing extreme hardship. /2

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2016

While situation in Kuwait is manageable, matters are much worse in Saudi Arabia./3

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2016

We have asked @IndianEmbRiyadh to provide free ration to the unemployed Indian workers in Saudi Arabia. /4

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2016

Her deputy VK Singh is leaving for Saudi Arabia to oversee the evacuation process, she said in a statement in both Houses of Parliament.

My colleagues @Gen_VKSingh will go to Saudi Arabia to sort out these matters and @MJakbar will take up with Kuwait and Saudi authorities./5

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2016

I assure you that no Indian worker rendered unemployed in Saudi Arabia will go without food. I am monitoring this on hourly basis.

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2016

Indian Consulate in association with Indian Community Jeddah distributed 15,475 kgs of food stuff besides eggs,spices,salt etc n 1850 no 1/2

— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) July 30, 2016

of food packets 2 Indians during last three days. Efforts r on to reach out to each n every Indian to help them overcome this crisis.

— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) July 30, 2016

All 5 camps, Shumaisi, Sisten/Macrona,Sojex, Highway,Taif taken care wid supply of food materials. An effort of last four days succeeded wel

— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) July 30, 2016

Consul General discusing stratgy wid Indian Comunity Jedah on how 2 mov forwrd 2 resolv issu facd by Indian laborer pic.twitter.com/6TO3HPiThz

— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) July 31, 2016

Here are the pictures of food being provided to the Indian workers.

Another feather in already full cap of CGI n IndianComunity Jedah. Food stuf deliverd 2 40 employes of BinLaden co 2 pic.twitter.com/Nqqi8e9bbb

— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) July 31, 2016

Happy 2 share more pics of Food distribution at Highway camp on July 30, 16.CG, Jeddah wid DCG/Consul(Haj) present 2 pic.twitter.com/WwkcJIsJJ4

— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) July 31, 2016

@Imran_khokhar84 @SushmaSwaraj @Gen_VKSingh @mjakbar @ajxtopcop @123nrs Food stff being delievred at Sisten/ Macrona pic.twitter.com/rAJhXsJZ8Z

— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) July 30, 2016

Necessary assistance continues to be provided to our distressed citizens with the heartening support of Indian community in Saudi Arabia

— M.J. Akbar (@mjakbar) July 31, 2016

Swaraj also urged the 30 lakh Indians living in Saudi Arabia to “help your fellow brothers and sisters. There is nothing mightier than the collective will of Indian nation.”

Sushma Swaraj’s work is really commendable.