UAE authorities help debt-ridden Uzbek family

Gulf News -- An Uzbek grandmother and child rendered homeless in Ajman over non-payment of rent were on Wednesday helped by UAE authorities to return to their home country.

The 71-year-old woman and nine-year-old child had been evicted from their apartment as the 38-year-old mother of the child, who supported the family, was in jail due to several bounced cheque cases.

The plight of the grandmother and child came to the attention of a Syrian woman, Zeina Abdul Kareem Ahmad, who rented a hotel room for them for 10 days.

She then contacted the Child Protection Centre at the Ministry of Interior. Captain Wafa Khalil Ebrahim Al Hosani of Ajman Police’s Social Support Centre in coordination with the ministry and the Directorate General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai coordinated efforts to help the family.

The mother’s case was settled by Ajman Police. The family of three was provided tickets and an allowance to return to their home country.

On Wednesday, the family of three departed from Dubai International Airport.

The grandmother, Ludmila, praised the humanitarianism of UAE authorities. “I have always heard about the UAE and the generosity of its people,” she said.

She also thanked Zeina, a PhD student of aerospace law, for her help. She added that her gesture restored her faith in humanity.