The UAE has built 1,000 homes in Syria at a cost of Dh65 million ($17.7) to shelter families displaced by February's earthquake.
The Emirates Red Crescent, the humanitarian arm of the UAE government, oversaw the project to house up to 6,000 people on the directive of President Sheikh Mohamed.
The death toll from the earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks in Syria and Turkey stands at more than 50,000, with millions more affected.
The natural disaster left a trail of destruction, with thousands of buildings reduced to rubble.
The prefabricated units were built with the aim of providing much-needed housing quickly to those in need.
The solar-powered homes each have two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom.
They have been established in seven selected areas of the Latakia Governorate.
The ERC formed a committee with representatives of the local development authority, the Latakia Governorate Council, the Syrian Red Crescent and other relevant authorities to select eligible families to receive the housing units.
Dr Hamdan Al Mazrouei, chairman of the ERC, said the housing aid was in line with the UAE's commitment to delivering humanitarian support to those affected by the disaster.
Amer Hilal, governor of Latakia, thanked the UAE for its continuing assistance during a challenging time.
UAE steps up support
An Emirati ship containing more than 2,000 tonnes of aid arrived in the port of Latakia this week.
The shipment, loaded with food supplies, medical equipment and winter clothing, was delivered as part of the UAE's Operation Gallant Knight 2 mission — a humanitarian operation to support people affected by the earthquake.
The 2,215 tonnes of aid includes 1,040 tonnes of food, 600 tonnes of relief and medical assistance and 573 tonnes of building materials.
The Emirates also sent 1,000 tonnes of aid to Syria last month.
The UAE launched the Bridges of Goodness public donation campaign in February in response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
Thousands of volunteers have given up their time to help pack goods bound for Turkey and Syria at events held across the country in recent weeks.
Federer's 19 grand slam titles
Australian Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Marat Safin; 2006 bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007 bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Rafael Nadal
French Open (1 title) - 2009 bt Robin Soderling
Wimbledon (8 titles) - 2003 bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004 bt Andy Roddick; 2005 bt Andy Roddick; 2006 bt Rafael Nadal; 2007 bt Rafael Nadal; 2009 bt Andy Roddick; 2012 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Marin Cilic
US Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005 bt Andre Agassi; 2006 bt Andy Roddick; 2007 bt Novak Djokovic; 2008 bt Andy Murray
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
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- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
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- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THE LOWDOWN
Romeo Akbar Walter
Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher
UAE Falcons
Carly Lewis (captain), Emily Fensome, Kelly Loy, Isabel Affley, Jessica Cronin, Jemma Eley, Jenna Guy, Kate Lewis, Megan Polley, Charlie Preston, Becki Quigley and Sophie Siffre. Deb Jones and Lucia Sdao – coach and assistant coach.
