The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday honored the family of a Bangladeshi caregiver – Safiya - who lived in the UAE and tragically died on October 24, 2014.

Safiya died while bravely saving the lives of two young Emirati boys, aged between six and ten from drowning in her care, according to UAE Embassy in Dhaka.

Safiya rescued the boys from the strong waves and managed to pull the children safely. Sadly during the rescue, she was swept out to sea.

Despite the bold efforts of the children’s father who jumped into the water in a bid to save her, Safiya drowned and passed away before the arrival of the emergency services, said the UAE Embassy.

Under the directive of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Ruler of Dubai, with support from the UAE Embassy to Bangladesh and the Embassy of Bangladesh to the UAE, Dubai Cares (A UAE based Charity organisation), built a school in memory of Safiya’s bravery at Bhata Para in the Sunamgonj district of Bangladesh (the village where Safiya was born and raised.)

To provide the financial assistance to the bereaved family from the UAE government, the UAE Embassy, Dhaka arranged the cheque handing over ceremony at the Embassy premises.

UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Saed Mohammed Al Mheiri said, ‘‘We express our deepest gratitude for her sacrifice and UAE would always be with the bereaved family.”

The Ambassador also handed over a medal and a certificate of honor to the Sufiya's family, given by UAE government for the heroic sacrifices.

Abdulla Ali Al Hmoudi, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy, was also present.