2 children reunited with their families in UAE
FOOT-SHAKE GREETING FOR MUM AND DAUGHTER AS THEY MEET AFTER A MONTH
dubai — Two children who were separated from their families due to Covid-19 travel restrictions have been brought back to the UAE, thanks to the efforts of the UAE government.
Nine-year-old Luca Alexander Summers from Australia and 19-year old Eilidh Ashton from the UK flew back to the UAE and met their families after almost two months of separation.
“We are very excited to have my family back together again. I would like to thank the UAE Government for everything they have done for us,” said Lindsey Summers, mother of Luca and a longtime resident of Dubai.
Lindsey had accompanied her son to Sydney and left him with her family on a short vacation for 10 days after which he was supposed to return to Dubai. But he got stuck in Australia due to the unexpected international flight closures as the Covid-19 precautionary measures.
Likewise, British student Eilidh, who was stuck in the UK for more than a month, was also repatriated back to the UAE.
abu dhabi — As much as she wanted to give her mum a hug after being away for more than a month, 19-year-old Eilidh Ashton had to resort to a ‘foot shake’ when she finally saw her at the Abu Dhabi airport.
One of the UAE residents stranded abroad because of Covid-19 travel suspensions, Eilidh was recently brought home to the Capital in a special flight from London.
“I am very thankful to the government of the UAE for bringing me home to be back with my family,” said Eilidh, a British student living with her family in Abu Dhabi. “Out of all the countries, I think the UAE has been doing the best.”
Eilidh’s mother, Christina, also expressed her appreciation of the UAE leadership’s efforts in helping their family.
In a video shared by the Wam,
Christina is seen stretching out her arms, ready to hug her daughter — but then stops herself. Instead, the mum and daughter had kept their distance during the much-awaited reunion at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
This is among the latest in a string of reunions facilitated by the UAE government.
On April 25, a couple stranded in South Africa for over a month was reunited with their two-year-old in Dubai. On April 24, a three-year-old Emirati flew back after a 50-day wait in Saudi Arabia.
A seven-year old German girl was also reunited with her parents in Abu Dhabi in the first week of April, after being stuck in her home country for a month.
UAE residents stranded abroad can register on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website. —
Out of all the countries, I think the UAE has been doing the best. They are doing a good job (amid the situation).”
Eilidh Ashton, British student