Struggling families can apply to receive financial support to pay school fees, the Abu Dhabi government said on Sunday.
A public fund worth tens of millions of dirhams was set up to help parents who have seen wages cut or jobs lost.
The programme extends to cash for food and help with rent, if needed.
The 'Together We Are Good' drive is being run by the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an, with the support of Abu Dhabi's Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek).
Many parents are now more than ever facing challenges in paying school fees due to a short-term loss of income or unemployment
The fund is for "parents with children attending private schools in Abu Dhabi who are affected by the current economic challenges, by paying school fees or providing devices for distance learning," Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said.
Families can apply for support with education expenses, healthcare, food, basic needs by contacting Ma'an on 800-3088 or by visiting http://togetherwearegood.ae.
The closing date for applications is 23rd April 2020. The programme also provides for families who need essential devices for their children such as tablets or laptops.
"We recognise that in the current circumstances, some families may require special support," said Adek chairperson Sara Musallam.
"Many parents are now more than ever facing challenges in paying school fees due to a short-term loss of income or unemployment. In these unprecedented times, it is only right that we extend a helping hand to support them."
In other developments, a top judge reiterated a new law that compels firms laying off staff to pay the 'housing allowance' part of the employee's salary until they find a new job or leave the country.
Abdulla Al Nuaimi, head of the Abu Dhabi Labour Court, urged anyone who was denied the settlement to contact the labour court in their emirate. His court has dealt with 400 claims since the crisis began, he said.
Also on Sunday, the UAE government said it was considering measures against countries that have refused to allow expats to return home. Officials did not state which countries were being considered.
In Abu Dhabi, Adek said parents should apply through the website listed and then contact their school. They will also have to provide proof of loss of earnings.
Employees who have taken a pay cut or unpaid leave will have to submit proof of a change in salary, in the form of bank statements and letter from their employer.
If they have lost their job, a copy of the termination letter would have to be submitted. Self-employed residents would have to submit financial statements showing the impact on earnings from January to March.
The fund was made possible by donations from private individuals and from public and private sector companies.
Among them were members of the royal family, including Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan, who pledged Dh20 million, the government media office said.
Ma'an can accept donations small and large through a text message, WhatsApp and phone number service.
“I continue to be humbled by the generosity of spirit and kindness from individuals and organisations across Abu Dhabi who have contributed to ‘Together We Are Good’," said Salama Al Ameemi, director general of Ma’an.
"Every day, we are receiving offers of assistance from all sectors – both public and private – and each contribution is highly valued and appreciated. As this partnership shows, your contributions are making a real difference to the lives of people across Abu Dhabi.”
Many families have become reliant on support from charities and community groups in recent weeks.
Shukoor Ali Kallungal, president of the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi, said his organisation has taken 50 to 100 calls each day.
The group delivered 10 tonnes of food to about 1,500 families who have suffered lost earnings in the past two weeks.
Many were sales employees in stores and for suppliers, while others ran small businesses selling mobile phones, textiles and watch repair.
“Many work on a commission basis and have targets that they cannot meet [while their employer is closed] so with no commission, their income is zero. This is the on-the-ground reality," he said.
"We will ask them to contact the government number for help. This is a humanitarian gesture and is highly appreciated."
Edgar Bacason, who co-ordinates programmes supported by the Philippines Embassy, said help from the relief fund was much needed, and knew of families in which both husband and wife are out of work.
There are people who were between jobs before the virus attacked and who would hire them now
“It is a very tight situation families are facing and we are going to need as much as help as we can get,” he said.
“There are people who were between jobs before the virus attacked and now they too need assistance. Their chance of getting employed is much less, if not zero, because who would hire them now?”
Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, said the relief fund was important "as it directly supports households impacted".
She said any financial relief for households and businesses could prevent "a more marked and extended economic downturn from a secondary round effect from Covid-19".
Those who wish to contribute financially to the fund can send SMS messages to 6670 (Dh1000), 6678 (Dh500), 6683 (Dh100) and 6658 (Dh50). They can also call 8005-MAAN for volunteering and financial contributions above Dh1,000.
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
SPECS
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New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Brief scores:
Day 1
Toss: South Africa, field first
Pakistan (1st innings) 177: Sarfraz 56, Masood 44; Olivier 4-48
South Africa (1st innings) 123-2: Markram 78; Masood 1-4
Brief scores:
Toss: South Africa, chose to field
Pakistan: 177 & 294
South Africa: 431 & 43-1
Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
UAE%20SQUAD
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Pakistanis%20at%20the%20ILT20%20
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Match info
Uefa Nations League Group B:
England v Spain, Saturday, 11.45pm (UAE)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Kandahar%20
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
