Emotions ran high as donors, many with family ties to those affected by the Moroccan earthquake, gathered near Brussels to donate vital items.
Headlamps, sleeping bags, shampoo and nappies were all piled up to send to survivors of an earthquake in Morocco that has killed about 3,000 people.
The magnitude-6.8 quake on Friday evening affected several regions of the country, including the High Atlas Mountains.
“We're all human, this could happen to any of us,” said Hannache Abdellatif, a shopkeeper, as he donated several boxes containing 400 headlamps.
“We are afraid for them,” said one woman, who declined to give her name but revealed that her elderly mother – who lives in Agadir – had been forced to sleep outside without a tent.
The woman, in her 50s, was organising volunteers to collect her donations – fold-up beds, covers and mattresses – because she does not own a car.
“If everyone helps a little bit, it can do a lot,” said the woman, dabbing her eyes as she teared up.
She said that even four days after the earthquake, her relatives were still in shock.
“They're afraid of aftershocks,” she told The National.
Moroccans make up one of the largest migrant communities in Belgium.
Six mayors of municipalities in and around Brussels decided to set up the donation centre, a large shed near a canal in Anderlecht, a south-eastern municipality in the capital region.
Other municipalities have since joined in with the campaign.
The centre was launched on Tuesday and will remain open every day until the Belgian army decides the conditions are right to send the donations to Morocco, said Ridouane Chahid, the mayor of Evere.
“We aim first of all to collect tents, covers, sleeping bags, anything that helps people living in the mountains to get ready for winter,” he said.
Many Brussels residents were deeply affected by the earthquake, according to several mayors involved in setting up the centre.
“Some of my constituents have lost family members and in some cases have not heard from their parents, sisters or brothers since the earthquake,” said politician and mayor of Koekelberg, Ahmed Laaouej.
“The Moroccan community is very important in Belgium – it's the second biggest after Belgians of Italian origin,” said Mr Laaouej, himself of Moroccan origin.
“Emotions around me are very intense,” said Catherine Moureaux, the mayor of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean.
“People are crying even if they don't have family there. It's a shock to discover that this kind of catastrophe can happen in Morocco.”
Some donations, including clothes and food, could not be accepted.
Retired construction worker Philippe Sosa had brought boots, shoes and bags, which he said he would donate elsewhere, though volunteers accepted his offer of a hygiene kit for children.
“We must share,” he said. “There's no point in throwing things out.”
Belgium's Development Co-operation Ministry has pledged €5 million [$5.4 million] for victims of the earthquake and to fund reconstruction, a sum which comes on top of smaller amounts offered by the country's various regions.
The ministry also offered to send rescue teams – though Rabat has yet to accept.
“It's up to Morocco to set the pace,” Mr Laaouej said.
“There is no point in rushing and creating logistical problems.”
The specs: Hyundai Ionic Hybrid
Price, base: Dh117,000 (estimate)
Engine: 1.6L four-cylinder, with 1.56kWh battery
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 105hp (engine), plus 43.5hp (battery)
Torque: 147Nm (engine), plus 170Nm (battery)
Fuel economy, combined: 3.4L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Andor
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
MATCH INFO
RB Leipzig 2 (Klostermann 24', Schick 68')
Hertha Berlin 2 (Grujic 9', Piatek 82' pen)
Man of the match Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday
AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)
Benevento v Parma (5pm)
Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)
Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)
Lazio v Spezia (5pm)
Napoli v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)
Torino v Juventus (8pm)
Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
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Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
