Rescuers carry a survivor at the site of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
Rescuers carry a survivor at the site of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
Rescuers carry a survivor at the site of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
Rescuers carry a survivor at the site of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters

Saudis donate millions to help Turkey and Syria earthquake survivors


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Follow the latest news on the earthquake in Turkey and Syria

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre is launching a campaign for those affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkey, where more than 11,000 people have been killed, and tens of thousands injured and left homeless in freezing conditions.

Donations will contribute towards providing shelter, food and treatment to those affected and in need.

  • The brother of a survivor Gokhan Ugurlu, 35, who was pulled out of the rubble in Hatay, Turkey, reacts as a rescuer looks on. Reuters
    The brother of a survivor Gokhan Ugurlu, 35, who was pulled out of the rubble in Hatay, Turkey, reacts as a rescuer looks on. Reuters
  • A woman walks past flattened buildings in a street in Hatay province, Turkey. Reuters
    A woman walks past flattened buildings in a street in Hatay province, Turkey. Reuters
  • A member of the army stands amid rubble in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
    A member of the army stands amid rubble in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
  • A man reacts while sitting outside a tent of a temporary accommodation centre set up on a football pitch in Gaziantep, Turkey. Reuters
    A man reacts while sitting outside a tent of a temporary accommodation centre set up on a football pitch in Gaziantep, Turkey. Reuters
  • Earthquake survivors walk on a street in Hatay, Turkey. Reuters
    Earthquake survivors walk on a street in Hatay, Turkey. Reuters
  • A White Helmets volunteer holds a rescued cat in the rebel-held town of Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
    A White Helmets volunteer holds a rescued cat in the rebel-held town of Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
  • A Syrian boy, who lost his family in the deadly earthquake, stands amid the rubble of his family home in Jindayris. AFP
    A Syrian boy, who lost his family in the deadly earthquake, stands amid the rubble of his family home in Jindayris. AFP
  • Rescuers sit by a bonfire in Hatay, Turkey. AFP
    Rescuers sit by a bonfire in Hatay, Turkey. AFP
  • A Turkish soldier walks among destroyed buildings in Hatay. AFP
    A Turkish soldier walks among destroyed buildings in Hatay. AFP
  • Relatives of Palestinian doctor Yusuf Darabeh, who died when the earthquake hit Turkey, comfort each other. AP Photo
    Relatives of Palestinian doctor Yusuf Darabeh, who died when the earthquake hit Turkey, comfort each other. AP Photo
  • People stand by a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey. AP Photo
    People stand by a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey. AP Photo
  • A child, injured in the earthquake, is treated at hospital in Bab Al Hawah, Syria. AP Photo
    A child, injured in the earthquake, is treated at hospital in Bab Al Hawah, Syria. AP Photo
  • Vehicles containing aid from Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) on the Iraqi side of the Iraq-Syria border. Reuters
    Vehicles containing aid from Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) on the Iraqi side of the Iraq-Syria border. Reuters
  • Rescuers carry Muhammed Alkanaas, 12, to an ambulance after five days under the rubble in Antakya, Turkey. AP
    Rescuers carry Muhammed Alkanaas, 12, to an ambulance after five days under the rubble in Antakya, Turkey. AP
  • Romanian firefighters load a Turkey-bound train with emergency aid near Bucharest. AP
    Romanian firefighters load a Turkey-bound train with emergency aid near Bucharest. AP
  • Collapsed buildings in Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
    Collapsed buildings in Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
  • Abdulkerim Nano, 67, is rescued after five days under the rubble in in Kahramanmaras, Turkey
    Abdulkerim Nano, 67, is rescued after five days under the rubble in in Kahramanmaras, Turkey
  • A Turkish rescue worker checks a collapsed building in Adiyaman. AP
    A Turkish rescue worker checks a collapsed building in Adiyaman. AP
  • Rescuers in Adiyaman, Turkey. AP
    Rescuers in Adiyaman, Turkey. AP
  • A resident in front of his collapsed building in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras. AFP
    A resident in front of his collapsed building in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras. AFP
  • Syrian refugees shelter in a public market in the Islahiye district of Gaziantep, Turkey. AP
    Syrian refugees shelter in a public market in the Islahiye district of Gaziantep, Turkey. AP
  • A family wait for the bodies of their relatives to be recovered in Antakya, Turkey. AP
    A family wait for the bodies of their relatives to be recovered in Antakya, Turkey. AP
  • A woman plays with a sniffer dog in Antakya, Turkey. AP
    A woman plays with a sniffer dog in Antakya, Turkey. AP
  • Collapsed buildings in Antakya, Turkey. AP
    Collapsed buildings in Antakya, Turkey. AP
  • A Syrian woman takes care of her nephew Hasan Goayid, eight, in Islahiye district, Gaziantep. AP
    A Syrian woman takes care of her nephew Hasan Goayid, eight, in Islahiye district, Gaziantep. AP
  • A Syrian child in a tent in the Islahiye district. AP
    A Syrian child in a tent in the Islahiye district. AP
  • Collapsed buildings in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras. AFP
    Collapsed buildings in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras. AFP
  • Emirati rescuers sift through the rubble of a collapsed building in the regime-controlled town of Jableh, northwest of the Syrian capital. AFP
    Emirati rescuers sift through the rubble of a collapsed building in the regime-controlled town of Jableh, northwest of the Syrian capital. AFP
  • Volunteers at the Emirates Red Crescent 'Bridges of Goodness' campaign at the South Hall, Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Volunteers at the Emirates Red Crescent 'Bridges of Goodness' campaign at the South Hall, Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Martin Griffiths, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, in Maras, Turkey. Reuters
    Martin Griffiths, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, in Maras, Turkey. Reuters
  • Rescuers give water to a dog after a rescue operation in Hatay, southern Turkey. AP
    Rescuers give water to a dog after a rescue operation in Hatay, southern Turkey. AP
  • A deadly earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6. EPA
    A deadly earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6. EPA
  • Fissures from the earthquake have crumpled the highway near Islahiyeh in Southern Turkey. Matt Kynaston / The National
    Fissures from the earthquake have crumpled the highway near Islahiyeh in Southern Turkey. Matt Kynaston / The National
  • A Kurdish charity's aid convoy enters Syria through the Bab Al Salama crossing with Turkey, in the northern province of Aleppo. AFP
    A Kurdish charity's aid convoy enters Syria through the Bab Al Salama crossing with Turkey, in the northern province of Aleppo. AFP
  • A rescuer with a sniffer dog searches in a destroyed building in Antakya, southern Turkey. AFP
    A rescuer with a sniffer dog searches in a destroyed building in Antakya, southern Turkey. AFP
  • A makeshift camp erected in a stadium in the city of Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey. EPA
    A makeshift camp erected in a stadium in the city of Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey. EPA
  • A woman mourns Turkish Cypriot victims of the earthquake, during a funeral procession in the Turkish occupied area in north-east coastal city of Famagusta, Cyprus. AP
    A woman mourns Turkish Cypriot victims of the earthquake, during a funeral procession in the Turkish occupied area in north-east coastal city of Famagusta, Cyprus. AP
  • Rescuers carry survivor Rabia Ofkeli, 27, from the rubble in Hatay, southern Turkey. Reuters
    Rescuers carry survivor Rabia Ofkeli, 27, from the rubble in Hatay, southern Turkey. Reuters
  • Syrian President Bashar Al Assad visits Aleppo university hospital. Reuters
    Syrian President Bashar Al Assad visits Aleppo university hospital. Reuters
  • Members of the Swiss rescue team with a four-month-old girl, Abir, who was pulled out from the rubble in Antakya. AFP
    Members of the Swiss rescue team with a four-month-old girl, Abir, who was pulled out from the rubble in Antakya. AFP
  • Survivors at a hospital in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
    Survivors at a hospital in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
  • Members of the White Helmets during the fifth day of rescue operations in Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
    Members of the White Helmets during the fifth day of rescue operations in Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
  • Indonesian Muslims perform a prayer for the victims at Istiqlal grand mosque in Jakarta. EPA
    Indonesian Muslims perform a prayer for the victims at Istiqlal grand mosque in Jakarta. EPA
  • Emergency personnel conduct a rescue operation to save Melda, 16, from beneath the rubble of a collapsed building in Hatay, southern Turkey. AFP
    Emergency personnel conduct a rescue operation to save Melda, 16, from beneath the rubble of a collapsed building in Hatay, southern Turkey. AFP
  • The earthquake caused a railbed overpass to collapse in Nurdagi, Turkey. AFP
    The earthquake caused a railbed overpass to collapse in Nurdagi, Turkey. AFP
  • A framed picture on the cracked wall of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, south-eastern Turkey. EPA
    A framed picture on the cracked wall of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, south-eastern Turkey. EPA
  • A coastal area of Iskenderun, Turkey, was flooded after the quake. Reuters
    A coastal area of Iskenderun, Turkey, was flooded after the quake. Reuters
  • A sheet of paper lies among the rubble in Elbistan. AP
    A sheet of paper lies among the rubble in Elbistan. AP
  • Relief supplies destined for earthquake survivors in Turkey, at a warehouse in Schoenefeld, near Berlin, Germany. AP
    Relief supplies destined for earthquake survivors in Turkey, at a warehouse in Schoenefeld, near Berlin, Germany. AP
  • Rescuers search for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kahramanmaras, three days after the earthquake struck. AFP
    Rescuers search for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kahramanmaras, three days after the earthquake struck. AFP
  • Rescuers with a child pulled out from under the rubble. Reuters
    Rescuers with a child pulled out from under the rubble. Reuters
  • Rescuers rest on top of rubble as an aircraft drops water over a fire at the port in the quake-stricken town of Iskenderun. Reuters
    Rescuers rest on top of rubble as an aircraft drops water over a fire at the port in the quake-stricken town of Iskenderun. Reuters
  • A rescue worker in Kahramanmaras, three days after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck south-east Turkey. AFP
    A rescue worker in Kahramanmaras, three days after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck south-east Turkey. AFP
  • People try to pull out a dog trapped beneath the rubble in Iskenderun, Turkey. Reuters
    People try to pull out a dog trapped beneath the rubble in Iskenderun, Turkey. Reuters
  • Lorries carrying humanitarian aid wait at Bab Al Hawa crossing on the Turkey-Syria border. Reuters
    Lorries carrying humanitarian aid wait at Bab Al Hawa crossing on the Turkey-Syria border. Reuters
  • Syrians warm up by a fire outside a makeshift tent near the rebel-held town of Jindayris in Syria. AFP
    Syrians warm up by a fire outside a makeshift tent near the rebel-held town of Jindayris in Syria. AFP
  • A dam on the Orontes river in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province collapsed after the quake, flooding the neighbourhood. AFP
    A dam on the Orontes river in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province collapsed after the quake, flooding the neighbourhood. AFP
  • The sails of the Sydney Opera House lit with a black ribbon in remembrance and mourning of the earthquake victims. Getty
    The sails of the Sydney Opera House lit with a black ribbon in remembrance and mourning of the earthquake victims. Getty
  • Smoke billows amid an expanse of collapsed and damaged buildings in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
    Smoke billows amid an expanse of collapsed and damaged buildings in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
  • Dogs of the German International Search and Rescue team rest between operations in Kirikhan, Turkey. Reuters
    Dogs of the German International Search and Rescue team rest between operations in Kirikhan, Turkey. Reuters
  • White Helmets volunteers rescue a child trapped beneath the rubble in Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
    White Helmets volunteers rescue a child trapped beneath the rubble in Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
  • People gather to collect food and humanitarian aid in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras, south-east Turkey. EPA
    People gather to collect food and humanitarian aid in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras, south-east Turkey. EPA
  • The statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, is surrounded by damaged buildings in Adiyaman province. AP
    The statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, is surrounded by damaged buildings in Adiyaman province. AP
  • A plane carrying humanitarian air sent for earthquake survivors lands in Damascus. Mahmoud Rida / The National
    A plane carrying humanitarian air sent for earthquake survivors lands in Damascus. Mahmoud Rida / The National
  • Motorway fractured by earthquake causes car crash near Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Matt Kynaston / The National
    Motorway fractured by earthquake causes car crash near Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Matt Kynaston / The National
  • A tent camp has been set up at a stadium in south-eastern Turkish city of Kahramanmaras to shelter families whose homes were destroyed in the quake. AFP
    A tent camp has been set up at a stadium in south-eastern Turkish city of Kahramanmaras to shelter families whose homes were destroyed in the quake. AFP
  • A displaced Syrian woman rests under a tree in a field on the outskirts of the rebel-held town of Jindayris. AFP
    A displaced Syrian woman rests under a tree in a field on the outskirts of the rebel-held town of Jindayris. AFP

“Even before the launch of the initiative, the donations have reached 15 million riyals ($3.9 million),” an official from KSrelief told The National.

More than 95,000 people have already donated to the national platform to help earthquake survivors.

The launching ceremony of Sahem national program launched by KSrelief to help earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. Photo: KS Relief
The launching ceremony of Sahem national program launched by KSrelief to help earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. Photo: KS Relief

King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered their condolences to Turkey and Syria, their governments and people and ordered aid to be sent to those affected by the tragedy.

“My sister shared it on our family WhatsApp group today and all of our family members went on to share on our social media and donated instantly,” said Ghalia Mohammed, a Saudi citizen in Jeddah.

“I know everyone is looking for the most legitimate and fastest way to help out our brothers and sisters in Turkey and Syria. The national platform is a sure and safe way to financially help those in need.”

King Salman directed KSrelief to provide health, shelter, food and logistical assistance, KSrelief officials said.

KSrelief will launch an air bridge that will provide housing, food and medical assistance.

It will launch a Saudi national campaign on Wednesday to support earthquake victims, through the Sahem platform, a popular app to enable charity giving.

“My son lives in Turkey and we are all shocked and devastated by the events that are unfolding so close to home and family,” said Manal Sherif, a Saudi in Jeddah.

“He's also there volunteering and we are donating to Sahem to help other families and, most importantly, the children facing this tragedy.”

KSrelief supervisor general Abdullah Al Rabeeah said food, shelter and medical aid would be provided under royal directives.

People can donate online through the official platform or through the bank account number provided on the Sahem website.

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?

The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.

The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.

He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.

He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.

He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.

Tips for used car buyers
  • Choose cars with GCC specifications
  • Get a service history for cars less than five years old
  • Don’t go cheap on the inspection
  • Check for oil leaks
  • Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
  • Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
  • Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
  • Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
  • If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell

Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com

Men's football draw

Group A: UAE, Spain, South Africa, Jamaica

Group B: Bangladesh, Serbia, Korea

Group C: Bharat, Denmark, Kenya, USA

Group D: Oman, Austria, Rwanda

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Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km

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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

Updated: February 09, 2023, 4:29 AM