Dubai schools join UAE relief effort in Syria and Turkey

Families and schools across Dubai have joined worldwide efforts to provide relief after the deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

Schools running collection drives have been inundated with donations of essential items to help those in need. They are working with authorized charities, airlines and the Emirates Red Crescent to ensure the items reach earthquake survivors.

Dubai schools will have The Emirates Red Crescent collection boxes at its premises. Dubai British School Jumeirah Park has teamed up with Turkish Airlines to deliver much-needed support. 

Leigh Girven, principal at Greenfield International School, said her school had close to 30 Turkish and Syrian families and, while none of their immediate relatives had been affected by the earthquake, they had family and friends who had been.

The parents' association at the school led a collection and families were asked to donate warm clothing, blankets, canned food and hygiene items. Families donated warm clothes, blankets, baby clothes, food and products, canned and packed goods, tents, camping equipment, among other things.

Parents can help out in three ways. They can either drop required items off at the collection boxes, which would be available at the reception. The school will also have a box for cash donations, which has been supplied by The Emirates Red Crescent. They can also make an online donation.