Dubai:Volunteers who registered for the ‘Your City Needs You’ campaign have contributed significantly to easing the suffering of the most vulnerable members of the community. Under the umbrella of the campaign, 500,000 free meals were distributed in Dubai’s highly-density areas. 

The ‘Your City Needs You’ campaign is part of the ‘Day for Dubai’ app launched by
Crown Prince of Dubai HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in
March. The volunteer efforts support the comprehensive sterilisation programme and
preventive measures undertaken to counter the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Government teams along with volunteers from all over the emirate are working around
the clock to secure the safety and health of the community. The campaign, supported
by volunteers of different nationalities, covers highly populated districts in Dubai like Al
Ras, Naif, Al Raffa, Al Karama, Al Mankhool, Al Satwa and Oud Metha.

The campaign is conducted in close collaboration with Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and
Charitable Activities Department which recently launched the Community Solidarity
Fund Against COVID-19. The Fund enables individuals and organisations to channel
their contributions to the right organisations in order to support the most vulnerable
people.

The ‘Your City Needs You’ campaign consolidates the efforts of many humanitarian
organisations, including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable
Establishment, Dar Al Ber Society, Tarahum Charity Foundation, Beit Al Khair Society,
Dubai Charity Association and Dubai KMCC. As of today, the ‘Your City Needs You’
campaign has attracted 12,230 volunteers from 40 nationalities between the ages of 18
and 53.

Director General of Watani Al Emarat Foundation HE Dherar Belhoul Al Falasi affirmed
that selfless volunteering is a key hallmark of progressive communities and is deeply
embedded in the UAE ethos. Al Falasi praised the collaboration between various
government departments and thanked Dubai’s residents for their cooperation and
commitment to abiding by the preventive measures outlined by authorities. He also thanked the volunteers for their efforts, commitment and dedication, which have helped many people overcome challenges during the current period.

The Director General of Watani Al Emarat advised the public to be wary of fake news
being spread in this environment. He called on all members of the public to deal responsibly with information received from unknown sources and rely only on trustworthy and official sources for news on COVID-19.