Saudi mission and volunteer workers arrived in Turkey on Thursday, after citizens in the kingdom raised more than 100 million riyals ($26.65 million) for earthquake relief.
On Tuesday, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman directed KSrelief to operate an air bridge to provide aid to earthquake survivors in Syria and Turkey. The air bridge consists of four flights and, according to Saudi state media, will provide health, shelter, food and logistical assistance.
A funding drive through a platform called Sahem has raised more than 116 million riyals.
Saudis expressed pride at the money raised for the survivors of the quake and praised those who volunteered to go and help.
"It is devastating to see what’s happening in Turkey and Syria, I am proud of the country coming together to support them. We are using Sahem to make the donations to align with the government and all its efforts,” Najma Otaibi, a Saudi citizen in Jeddah told The National.
So far a 20-member Saudi Red Crescent team, which includes medical and aid workers, has landed in Turkey. Workers will co-ordinate with Syrian authorities and the UN to deliver aid to affected areas there, a representative for the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) told The National.
“Saudis from everywhere and all ages are hungry to help. It makes my heart swell up with pride to see how youth want to go help the families, it’s part of our faith and we must do our best,” said Yahya Talib, a retired Saudi in Jeddah.
Relief workers are heading to areas affected by the earthquake that struck parts of south-east Turkey and north-west of Syria, killing more than 17,000 people.
"I am so proud to see young Saudi girls taking the initiative and leading humanitarian causes, to go out there and help families and children is a blessing," said Samira Mohammed, a Saudi law student in Riyadh. "I am very proud of our youth volunteering in Turkey and Syria."
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
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Medicus AI
Started: 2016
Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
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