Afghanistan, Angola, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Venezuela are set to be given the funding by the ISA.

More than than $35,000 (£27,000/€30,000) will be distributed to fund projects which will help communities in the nations that have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

"The principle of solidarity with our affected National Federations is more important than ever in these difficult times," said ISA President Fernando Aguerre.

"The global economic downturn has been hard on nearly everyone, but we felt it was essential to support those within the surfing community who have been most impacted.

"We are encouraged by all those in our global surfing family that reached out for help and presented creative initiatives.

"It warms us to see positive action in a such a difficult time for all.

"This solidarity initiative is a reflection of our mantra 'A Better World Through Surfing'.

"We look forward to receiving reports from around the globe as these initiatives create change.”

Projects will be funded according to the needs of each individual community, the ISA said.

They will include community uplift programmes, distribution of sanitation supplies, membership fee forgiveness and helping to offset economic losses from the downturn in tourism.

Funds will also be provided to ensure well-balanced food and potable water to families in need, while the money will also assist with the organisation of classes for students that have been unable to attend school remotely since their closure.

The funding distributed to each country will depend on the particular initiatives and projects that each set forward in their applications, the ISA added.