Sharjah: Charity workers urged the Sharjah government to implement a law that requires tenants to take out content insurance, after a massive fire partially destroyed Al Tayer Tower on Saturday morning.
Sharjah Police confirmed that 102 flats, located at the rear of the 40-storey building, were completely gutted.
Abdullah Bin Khadim, an official at Sharjah Charity, told Gulf News that the organisation has provided 52 families with temporary accommodation for three days, in addition to giving financial assistance that ranges from Dh500 to Dh1,000.
"We have given out financial aid to 22 families so far, but we are unable to provide help to everybody," Bin Khadim said.
He said the temporary accommodation and financial aid have been made available to residents whose homes were ravaged by the blaze.
Cordoned off
The tower has been temporarily cordoned off. Residents whose homes were unaffected have been unable to collect their personal belongings until further notice.
"Residents should have their contents insured so that in emergencies like this they can get compensation. We are helping poor families who cannot survive for the next few days, but it is the government's responsibility to make residents aware. If the building has been insured by the owner, then why shouldn't the tenants have their contents insured as well?" Bin Khadim said.
He added that they have set up three tents in Al Nahda Park and have been providing displaced families with breakfast and refreshments.
The building management continues to be unavailable for comment.
"We are doing our best so that residents do not have to sleep on the road but we cannot cope. We had to set criteria because we cannot give accommodation to people who earn a salary of more than Dh8,000," Bin Khadim said.
In collaboration with the Red Crescent, Sharjah Charity provided families with a three-night stay in the Sharjah Club premises as well as in hotel apartments at Qasr Diyafa and Salaam Hotel.
