Malaysia Airlines is offering $5,000 to the families of each passenger and crew member who perished aboard Flight MH17. In a statement issued Saturday, the airline said its primary focus was to care for the loved ones affected by the tragedy, and has assigned each family a caregiver to provide emotional support. "To date, a majority of the families have already received such financial assistance, which will not be part of any compensation that may be payable," Malaysia Airlines said in a statement.
The Malaysia Airlines jet was shot down on July 17 as it traveled over eastern Ukraine killing all 298 passengers and crew. Attempts to recover bodies from the site have been marred by difficulties because of continued clashes between pro-Russia separatist rebels and Ukrainian forces.
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