A campaign that encourages community support for one another amid the coronavirus outbreak launched in Abu Dhabi on Monday, with backing from Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.
The remote campaign, named Bode Well, will run the length of Ramadan and calls on members of the public to face the pandemic with optimism and consideration for their communities.
The campaign’s five objectives centre on creating a positive and peaceful atmosphere among all sectors of society.
Under the campaign, psychological support will be offered to families, with parents encouraged to use this opportunity to teach their children valuable lessons – including their role in preventing the spread of the virus by staying home. The campaign suggests providing a creative environment in the home to inspire children and reassure them that better days are coming.
The campaign also aims to support the elderly and "emphasise their crucial role within the family"; and highlight the leadership’s work to tackle the virus and the need for a positive spirit in the face of the crisis.
“I invite all of you be cohesive and united during this challenge; to use this time to invest in strengthening family relations, and developing social ties, while staying optimist and hopeful,” said Dr Mugheer Al Khaili, chairman of the Department of Community Development Abu Dhabi, which is running the campaign along with the Family Development Foundation.
Sheikha Fatima, known locally as the Mother of the Nation, issued a statement on Monday, encouraging families to take part in the campaign.
“I call on family members to enhance their sense of community, to support each other psychologically and socially and to feed the spirit of hope and tranquillity among themselves,” she said.
“The head of the family is requested to ease the precautionary measures inside the home, not to intimidate the kids, bet let hem feel safe, secure and not affected negatively by the current situation. They must feed their sense of optimism, patriotism and humanitarianism.”
She spoke of the importance of protecting the elderly and to show them extra support amid restrictions on movement to make them feel reassured.
She said it was society’s responsibility to protect their loved ones by staying home and preventing the spread of the virus, while supporting the efforts of healthcare workers fighting to keep the country safe.
Of time spent at home, she encouraged using it to strengthen familial relations.
“Families should take the opportunity of being at home to invest something beneficial in their children, and to show them how to enhance their role in the community,” Sheikha Fatima said.
