An army of volunteers turned out in force in Dubai on Sunday to deliver key support to survivors of the deadly earthquake which struck Turkey and Syria on February 6.
Members of the public were only too happy to give up their spare time at the weekend to help box up essential supplies bound for both nations at an event held at Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai.
Vital goods such as dry food and warm bedding were packed into boxes in the latest relief effort organised under the UAE's Bridges of Giving campaign.
The Emirates Red Crescent gift boxes also included poignant letters of support written by children.
The death toll from the devastating natural disaster has surpassed 50,000.
Millions more people have been affected after the earthquake - and subsequent aftershocks - flattened thousands of buildings.
The UAE has joined the international community in coming to the aid of both countries.
On Friday, 10 Syrian earthquake survivors arrived in Abu Dhabi to receive crucial medical treatment.
The patients were transported on a special evacuation flight which included doctors, anaesthesiologists, technicians and paramedics along with the latest medical equipment.
The mission was carried out by Emirates Crescent in partnership with the Syrian Ministry of Health, under the directive of Sheikha Fatima, Mother of the Nation.
Five adult patients were taken to Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, while children aged nine, 10, 12, 14 and 16 were transferred to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.
The UAE has offered Syria a fleet of 10 new ambulances as part of Operation Gallant Knight 2, the UAE's humanitarian mission to help the earthquake-hit country.
The move was approved by the Joint Operations Command of the Ministry of Defence, in co-ordination with the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC).
Earlier this month, thousands of volunteers offered a helping hand in packing aid for those affected by the deadly quake at events held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and Expo City Dubai’s exhibition centre.
The UAE has delivered more than 3,000 tonnes of aid on more than 100 flights
The support was carried out under Operation Gallant Knight 2, led by the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation and Emirates Red Crescent.
The mission has seen Emirati rescue teams and essential medical equipment being flown in.
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Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
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If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
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The five pillars of Islam
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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