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In the early days of the Iran war, as missiles and drones threatened the Gulf, uncertainty spread, and daily life was disrupted.
In Qatar, while many people stayed at home, some continued to work. Among them were drivers from local delivery companies, who brought food, medications and supplies to residents across Doha.
“The first day of the conflict, it was very difficult,” Abdulaziz AlQahtani, General Manager at Snoonu, one of the Qatari delivery companies, told Euronews.
“You are responsible for a business that served the community. So we were monitoring the guidance of the government announcements to ensure everything is going smoothly,” AlQahtani added.
As more people stayed indoors, demand for deliveries grew, and the company had to adapt quickly.
Behind the scenes, operational teams were working around the clock, coordinating orders, tracking deliveries and responding to security alerts.
“The challenge was to (ensure) the safety of your drivers, it’s a priority, plus keeping the operation smooth and helping the community,” said AlQahtani.
Drivers were given the option to stay at home, but many chose to continue delivering goods across the country, despite the risks.
“We are riders and drivers, and all the community rely on us to deliver food and medicines during these situations,” said delivery driver Muhammad Rehan Butt.
Several cafes and businesses continued to operate, but with fewer people out on the street, delivery drivers became a vital link.
For those on the roads, the risks were real.
Delivery driver Muhammad Saad Muhammad Ayub, originally from Pakistan, says he was proud to support Qatar during the crisis.
“I feel happy to get to serve the community because this community gives me a lot,” he said.
Mark Coffie, a driver from Ghana, added, “I feel so proud because I didn’t know that our role was so big like that.”
For many in Qatar, this changed how delivery drivers are seen. When daily life was under threat, they helped keep the country going, making sure people got what they needed.
“They are our champions, they are our heroes in those days,” AlQahtani said. “We saw those brave drivers going out trying to support our community, and we are really proud of them.”