Coronavirus: Hundreds of Pakistanis in UAE given food donations

The Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai is helping scores of families impacted by the pandemic

Pakistan nationals receive food donations from the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai. Courtesy: Consulate General of Pakistan

Hundreds of Pakistanis left stranded in the UAE due to flight restrictions have been given food donations.

The Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai provided the items as part of a campaign to help those impacted by coronavirus.

Since the outbreak, some families in the Emirates have been unable to return home due to flights being grounded. Others have lost their jobs as businesses have temporarily closed.

“We are helping them out and providing them with rations,” said Consul-General Ahmed Amjad Ali.

“We asked philanthropists for the goods and the consulate bought the items.

"The rations include things such as rice, flour, oil, tea, sugar, biscuits, soaps, lentils, dry milk, spice boxes and soaps.”

On Sunday, a team of officials distributed the food packages to groups in Sharjah. Families in Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah will also be assisted.

There are currently more than 1,500 cases of Covid-19 in Pakistan, so far resulting in 20 deaths. More than a dozen people are known to have recovered.

The country recently closed its eastern and western borders, halting all trade and passenger traffic with Afghanistan, Iran and India.

International flights to the country are suspended until April 4 and outbound flights were stopped on March 29.