UAE | Environment
RCA offers temporary housing
Hundreds evacuated from their homes as a result of Cyclone Gonu, were yesterday relocated to temporary housing at an academic institution on the outskirts of Fujairah.
- By Zoi Constantine, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:38 May 3, 2009
- Image Credit: Ravindranath/Gulf News
- A pedestrian makes his way through a flooded street in Sur Kalba. Ravindranath/Gulf News
Dubai: Hundreds evacuated from their homes as a result of Cyclone Gonu, were yesterday relocated to temporary housing at an academic institution on the outskirts of Fujairah.
Click here to see the direction of Gonu (pdf)
Men, women and children, have been temporarily housed at the large compound of the Fujairah branch of the Institute of Applied Technology, according to the UAE's Red Crescent Authority (RCA).
"Today the situation in Fujairah is much better, especially as the sea is calmer. Kalba is still affected, and we have transferred everyone whose houses were impacted to the institute in Fujairah, about 1200 in total," said Suhail Al Qady, manager of the RCA in Fujairah, adding that no one had sustained injuries in the evacuation.
Hussain al Hamadi, chairman of the Board of the Trustees of the Institutes of Applied Technology, said those affected were being housed in classrooms on the large campus.
Segregated areas for families, woman and children were set-up, along with special facilities for the elderly. Doctors and nurses were on hand to provide any medical care necessary.
"We were motivated by the need to help those affected and to support them - this is part of our culture in the UAE and the culture of our institute," Al Hamadi told Gulf News. "We are open to having them stay at the institute for as long as they need."
In addition to the food and shelter provided, a playground was set-up for the children, along with internet access.
Meanwhile the UAE Ministry of Social Affairs has opened ten social development centres in Sharjah and Fujairah for those affected by Gonu, Abdullah Al Suwaidi undersecretary at the Ministry said yesterday.
"The relief committee will start estimating the losses immediately after the storm finishes, and a report will be submitted to the cabinet to ask for a budget to compensate for the losses," said Al Suwaidi, adding that the top priority will be given to fishermen whose boats were damaged by the storm.
Additional inputs by Wafa Issa, Staff Reporter
Rescue teams on high alert
Sharjah Municipality yesterday issued a high alert to rescue teams in areas affected by Gonu, particularly Kalba and Khorfakkan. The municipality has provided equipment to remove wreckage and drain water in various areas, including Sur Kalba and Suhaila. Sharjah Municipality offered its services through providing tankers and more than sixty vehicles to pump water from streets and houses, in addition to removing fallen trees.
By Mariam M. Al Serkal, Staff Reporter
Related Links
- Surfers head to coast to catch waves
- Storm history
- Fujairah resorts relocate guests and cancel weekend bookings
- Efforts on to make flooded areas habitable
- Markets struggle to meet demand as prices soar
- Fujairah escapes further deluge as Kalba floods again
- Families face further uncertainty as flood threat continues
- Hundreds of flood-hit families relocated
- Weather stabilising, say forecasters
More from UAE Environment
More from UAE
Latest news
- For this maestro, it's all about the sound
- Experts can't tell old instruments from new
- Sound of violins
- Facilitators: Helping others find joy
- Get friends on board, zip away with Salik bonus
- Abu Dhabi buildings to be clutter-free
- Mohammad holds talks with South Korea president
- Volunteers remove garbage from Mamzar beach
- Clean-up campaign set to raise awareness
- Sharjah landmarks bathed in light
- In the pursuit of happiness
- Dubai hospitals debut life-saving procedure
- Four poised to chase their dreams
- UK’s top Arab advocacy group in need of aid
- 10 things not to do on Valentine's Day
Community Reports
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
-
Safety regulations flouted at Dubai work place
In Al Nahda 2, two workers were seen working on the crane boom at a height of 20m without a full body harness or safety net in violation of rules
