The UAE and Emirates Red Crescent have provided USD 40,700 in aid to children maintained under state care in the Maldives.
In a statement released today, the Ministry of Family Development said that with the well-wishes of the UAE, special activities have commenced to bring the joy of Eid to children under state care and persons with disabilities, using the USD 40,780.44 (MVR 628,834.38) donated by Emirates Red Crescent as Zakat al-Fitr.
The statement noted that this money was donated as Zakat al-Fitr to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs by Emirates Red Crescent.
The Ministry of Family Development stated that the Ministry of Islamic Affairs handed over the funds to them after deciding to use the money to involve children under state care and people with special needs in the celebrations of Eid.
A special ceremony was also held today at the Ministry of Family Development to hand over the funds.
The Ministry said that the funds are designated to be used for purchasing Eid clothes for children under state care and people requiring special assistance, as well as providing "food packages" to families in need.
The Ministry also stated that the money will be used for special activities conducted in Malé and the islands to involve these individuals in the joy of Eid-al-Fitr.
The Ministry noted that such generous assistance would bring immense satisfaction to children and families in the most vulnerable conditions of society, greatly facilitating them in experiencing the joy of Eid in its fullest sense.
The Ministry also said that this is a significant boost to the mental well-being of these children and to strengthening social bonds.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Family Development for last January, there were 151 children under state care at that time. Additionally, there are more than 14,000 people on the National Social Protection Agency’s (NSPA) registry of persons with disabilities.
