A protective face mask lays amid grass on the Piazza del Campo, that hosts the Palio di Siena horse race twice a year, which has grown only since a strict lockdown has meant crowds of tourists and Italians can no longer visit the square, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in the medieval city of Siena, Italy, April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
A protective face mask lays amid grass [Illustrative image] Image Credit: REUTERS

Dubai: The Emirates Red Crescent announced on Friday that it is in the process of sponsoring and caring for the families of deceased individuals who died of COVID-19 complications. UAE reported 35 COVID-19 deaths as of April 16.

The organisation added that this initiative would be applicable to coronavirus victims across nationalities in the UAE.

The gesture which is part of the country's initiative "You are among your Families'' includes several vital steps and enhances the philanthropic organisation's programmes in the social services field.

In this regard, Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, ERC Secretary-General, emphasised that Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the ERC is following the organisation's initiatives related to bringing COVID-19 under control nationwide and always instructs the importance to enhance the preventive and precautionary efforts against the pandemic.

He said that the initiative mirrors the ERC's keenness to express solace to families that have lost one of its members due to COVID-19 and alleviate its humanitarian repercussions and negative impacts on their lives.

He also indicated that the ERC will provide everything that these families need and contribute to enhancing their ability to overcome the ordeal of losing a loved one.

Al Falahi noted that the organisation has begun implementing the procedures, in cooperation with the competent authorities nationwide, by identifying the victims and deceased numbers, communicate with their families, study their social conditions, and identify their needs in the living, health and educational fields.

He also indicated that the authority will spare no effort to achieve its humanitarian objectives in this regard.