Dubai constructs 1,000 houses for Syrian quake victims

The UAE has built 1,000 "prefabricated housing units" in Latakia, worth AED 65 million, for those displaced by the earthquake that struck Syria in February.

It follows the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan under the "Gallant Knight 2" campaign.

Powered by solar energy, each unit features two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and bathroom, and can accommodate six people.

They were built in Latakia Governorate's Al Gharraf 1, Al Gharraf 2, Jableh, Al Naqa’a, Al Fayd, Astamu and Damserkho areas.

The initiative will help house 6,000 Syrians, the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) said.

Eligible families were selected after consulting with a committee comprising of a representative of the local development authority, the Latakia Governorate Council, the Syrian Red Crescent and other relevant authorities.

Dr. Hamdan Mussallam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ERC, said the move underscores the UAE leadership's keenness to provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the disaster.

On his part, Governor of Latakia Amer Hilal thanked the UAE for the continuous relief and humanitarian support.