Follow the latest on the earthquake in Turkey and Syria
Turkey's consulate in Dubai has launched a donation drive for vital food and winter clothing to support survivors of the earthquake which rocked the country and neighbouring Syria.
Members of the public are being invited to supply essentials to those affected by a disaster which has left a trail of destruction in both nations and prompted rescue efforts from across the globe.
Two powerful earthquakes that hit Turkey on Monday were followed by dozens of aftershocks.
The death toll is approaching 10,000 — and is expected to rise further — with many seeing their homes turned to rubble during harsh winter conditions.
The consulate shared an appeal on Instagram for people to bring canned foods, warm clothing, cleaning supplies and other materials such as bedding and tents.
Items can be dropped off at the CSS Homeward Bound warehouse at 801 WH Street, 11B Industrial First Al Quoz until 8pm on Wednesday.
There is no limit on the amount of goods that can be provided.
The consulate said the crucial donations would be “delivered to those in need in the affected region”.
“The materials to be donated must be unused, suitable for winter conditions, and must not be different from the ones on the list. There is no quantity limitation,” the social media appeal stated.
For more information, people can contact the campaign hotline on 058 584 7876.
People in Abu Dhabi eager to help are asked to contact Turkey's embassy in the capital on 050 869 9389.
Below is a full list of the items needed to help those affected by the earthquake.
Winter clothing — for adults and children
Coats, jackets, boots, sweaters, trousers, gloves, scarves, berets, knitted caps and woollen hats, socks and underwear.
Food
Canned foods, durable and non-perishable foods, items with a long shelf life and food for children.
Cleaning and hygienic supplies
Diapers, personal care products, women's hygiene products and cleaning materials
Other goods
Tents, beds, mattress (for use in a tent), blankets, sleeping bags, catalytic gas stoves, heaters (excluding gas cylinders), thermos mugs, torches (excluding batteries) and generators.
UAE launches relief campaign
Emirates Red Crescent, the humanitarian arm of the UAE government, has announced a major campaign to assist embattled residents in Turkey and Syria.
The Bridges of Good initiative will start with the packaging of relief aid at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre, at Expo City, from 9am until 2pm on Saturday.
From Sunday, ERC and partnering organisations will directly collect donations in cash and in kind over the course of two weeks.
Further details of the donation process are due to be announced on Saturday.
The aid effort is being supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) and the Ministry of Community Development
Those interested in contributing to the campaign can register via: volunteers.ae.
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Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra
Director: Anu Menon
Rating: Three out of five stars
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
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4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Biography
Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related
Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.
Family: Wife and three children.
Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The biog
Age: 46
Number of Children: Four
Hobby: Reading history books
Loves: Sports
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Race 3
Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
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