Remittances dry up as Covid-19 crisis ravages the world

When Fathy called his family back home in Egypt a week ago, they asked him to send money, as he had for the past year. But he had none, having lost his job as a car painter in the United Arab Emirates in March, when a coronavirus lockdown was introduced.

Fathy’s sisters and aunt rely on his monthly transfers to “eat and drink and live”, said the 38-year-old, who declined to give his full name as he has been living and working in the Gulf state without a permit.