Since the passing of their mother G Tamilselvi, M Ranjini, 17, and her siblings Sumen Raj, 15; Kishor Raj, 14; and Bhuvana, 10, have been raised by their aunt G Magies.

Estranged from their father nine years ago, they now live with their grandfather S Gunasigaran, 61, who is unemployed.

Ismail, who chairs Yayasan Keluarga Malaysia, said the foundation had set aside RM10,900 a year to lighten the four siblings’ financial burden.

“They face a heavy burden. Their predicament will surely have a lasting effect on them if we do not give their future serious attention.

“We cannot close our eyes or ignore the fates of those orphaned by Covid-19,” he said in a statement today.

Ismail said the foundation had channelled donations to nine other families in conjunction with Deepavali.

“Five families in Selangor, two in Negeri Sembilan and two others in Melaka and Pahang will receive their contributions today, credited into their respective accounts,” he said.

Ismail said YKM, established in 2021, had allocated RM5 million a year to aid nearly 1,000 orphans, regardless of race or religion.

He said the funds were channelled through initiatives such as Bantuan Kasih YKM (YKM aid), Bantuan Persekolahan (school aid), Bantuan Menara Gading (higher education aid) and Hadiah Kecemerlangan SPM (SPM excellence award).

“YKM is now going through its data and updating the information it has on those needing aid from forms sent in via e-mail and WhatsApp.

“This data must be updated to ease the delivery of aid and programmes next year,” Ismail said.