PRCS to help Covid-hit journalists, paramedics, artists and have-nots.

LAHORE -- Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Chairman Abrarul Haq on Thursday announced a cash assistance package for journalists, paramedics, orphans, widows, people with special needs, artists and daily wagers affected by coronavirus pandemic across the country.

He was addressing a press conference along with PRCS Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed here at a local hotel on Thursday.

He said that healthcare workers and journalists have been in the forefront of the fight against Covid-19 and a number of those have even lost their lives in the line of duty.

He said coronavirus has affected all sectors of the economy and media industry is no exception to it.

He said hundreds of journalists have been left unemployed amid this national crisis while scores are facing salary cuts and delays.

Mr Haq said keeping in view the challenges in the wake of the pandemic, the PRCS has decided to launch a special programme to provide cash assistance and food packages to journalists, healthcare workers, orphans, widows, special persons, artists and daily wagers affected by the coronavirus.

He said under the programme, cash assistance to each family besides ration packs will be provided to those badly hit by the pandemic.

He said since the outbreak of coronavirus in Pakistan in February this year, the PRCS has been sparing no effort to augment the government's endeavors to contain the pandemic.

He said a 120-bed Red Crescent Corona Care Hospital was established in Rawalpindi in a record period of 18 days, which is operational since April 2020 and hundreds of patients have been treated...