Coronavirus: Emirates Red Crescent hands out food parcels to the vulnerable

Those given aid included orphans, people of determination and the elderly

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The Emirates Red Crescent has given out 5,000 food parcels to the most vulnerable members of society as part of its contribution to the Fund of the UAE – Homeland of Humanity.

Those supported include orphans, people of determination, the elderly, people with chronic disease and people on a low income.

The ERC worked alongside a team of volunteers to avoid overcrowding amid the coronavirus pandemic.

ERC Secretary General Dr Mohammed Al Falahi said the move underlined the desire of ERC Chairman Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed to support people affected by the outbreak.

"Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan is following with great interest the plans and programmes prepared by the ERC to support the efforts aimed to bring the coronavirus under control, and to create convenient conditions for families and various segments of society to stay home and protect themselves from the consequences of the pandemic," Dr Al Falahi said.

"The ERC is collaborating with its partners at the 'Fund of the UAE – Homeland of Humanity', primarily the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, to strengthen the contributions of the Fund and to get additional donors and contributors to chip in its health, educational, logistics and food programmes.

"The ERC is also co-ordinating with other Emirati charity and humanitarian organisations to widen the base of the Fund's beneficiaries."

Rice, wheat, sugar, milk, oils, legumes, canned food, pasta, noodles, lentils, chickpeas, juice, cheese and tea were only some of the products in the food package.