Cambridge International School Dubai, a GEMS school, has joined the clean-up operations following Cyclone Gonu.

Coastal areas like Fujairah, Kalba, Khor Fakkan, Sharm and Dibba were lashed by tidal waves, tropical storms and torrential rains as Cyclone Gonu swept past the Gulf of Oman and through the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month.

In Fujairah and Kalba, the authorities evacuated many residents for fear of flash floods, moving them to refuge centres set up in local schools.

Following the destruction and temporary displacement of residents, Dr Hanif Hassan, UAE Minister of Education, had called upon all schools in the UAE to participate in cleaning up the East Coast and helping the victims of the cyclone.

The Cambridge International School Dubai promptly responded to the call and sent a group of teachers and students to Kalba and Fujairah for the clean-up last week.

The students picked up debris and donated food items as well as clothing to the people whose homes were flooded or destroyed in the cyclone. In the long term, the school will be working alongside the UAE Red Crescent Authority, helping out with the humanitarian efforts.

'The Ministry of Education has approved and is appreciative of our efforts to serve the community when needed. The school is closely liaising with the Police Departments in Sharjah, Fujairah and Kalba in the Northern Emirates to ensure the smooth running of the clean-up activities,' said Principal, Cambridge International School, David Mclaughlin.

Cambridge International School is not only known for its excellent academic achievements such as being the only school in the UAE to have attained the best marks in IGCSE Literature and Environmental Management in the 'Top of the World' honours this year, but also runs a very active school environmental club.

At the Club, children are informally taught core societal values such as forward thinking, leadership qualities, universal values and world citizenship.Trade Arabia News Service