Emirates Red Crescent is appealing for donations to its Reach The End campaign during Ramadan.
The initiative is designed to support those suffering from tropical diseases such as river blindness.
The previous Ramadan campaign raised more than Dh2.8 million. The money donated during the holy month went to protect the vision of 1.4 million people over the last year.
Progress has already been made to eradicate the disease.
In the Americas, the debilitating condition was eliminated in Colombia in 2007 and in Ecuador in 2009.
The biggest area of concern is Africa, where 99 per cent of the 20 million affected people live.
The treatment for river blindness is ivermectin (also known as Mectizan), but it also protects people from lymphatic filariasis, another disease caused by parasites.
Unlike previous treatments, which had serious – sometimes fatal – side effects, ivermectin is safe and can be used on a wide scale.
Ivermectin has transformed the lives of millions of people suffering from river blindness since its introduction in 1987.
You can donate to the Reach The End campaign by texting ‘GIVE’ to 2424 or visit https://www.emiratesrc.ae/reach
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
