Follow the latest news on the earthquake in Turkey and Syria
The 'Bridges of Goodness' public donation campaign collected more than 30,000 food parcels and large quantities of winter clothes, blankets and other humanitarian needs for survivors of the earthquake.
More than 2,000 volunteers turned up on Saturday at the three centres in the UAE to help pack tens of thousands of urgent relief kits and food supplies to be sent to Syria and Turkey.
The Bridges of Goodness campaign was organised by the Emirates Red Crescent and supported by the Ministry of Community Development and charitable organisations such as Dubai Cares and Sharjah International Charity.
Volunteers gathered at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), the Dubai Exhibition Centre in the Dubai Expo City and in Sharjah next to Khalid Lake, to help pack urgent humanitarian aid which will be sent to quake-hit areas as part of UAE's Operation Gallant Knight 2.
The UAE initiative, which is a part of wider humanitarian efforts that included sending field hospitals, relief aid and rescue teams to the affected areas, will continue for the next two weeks, said Hamoud Al Junaibi, ERC's Secretary-General.
“This is to provide more humanitarian aid and improve UAE's response for the benefit of those affected by the earthquake,” he said.
He said people can still donate through ERC’s banking services on the website and mobile phone applications, and by text messages and the authority’s toll-free phone number.
“In-kind donations are received at ERC’s centres across the country and its representatives in commercial centres, markets and various institutions,” he said.
The combined death toll in Turkey and Syria has risen above 33,000 and is expected to increase further.
As of Sunday night, the death toll stood at 29,605 people in Turkey and more than 3,500 in Syria, where tolls have not been updated for two days.
Turkey said about 80,000 people were in hospital, and more than one million in temporary shelters.
On Sunday, UN humanitarian aid co-ordinator Martin Griffiths said the death toll could reach at least 50,000.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The biog
Name: James Mullan
Nationality: Irish
Family: Wife, Pom; and daughters Kate, 18, and Ciara, 13, who attend Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)
Favourite book or author: “That’s a really difficult question. I’m a big fan of Donna Tartt, The Secret History. I’d recommend that, go and have a read of that.”
Dream: “It would be to continue to have fun and to work with really interesting people, which I have been very fortunate to do for a lot of my life. I just enjoy working with very smart, fun people.”
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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Abu Dhabi World Pro 2019 remaining schedule:
Wednesday April 24: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-6pm
Thursday April 25: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-5pm
Friday April 26: Finals, 3-6pm
Saturday April 27: Awards ceremony, 4pm and 8pm
