Combating coronavirus: 132 nationalities join UAE Volunteers campaign

As many as 18,740 volunteers of 132 nationalities enrolled in the UAE Volunteers national campaign in one month, authorities have said.

The Ministry of Community Development on Thursday said the volunteers participated in 125 initiatives, including 98 field initiatives and 27 virtual.

More than 13,100 resident volunteers supported the efforts of the frontline soldiers in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, in addition to 5,555 citizens.

According to the data of the National Volunteer Campaign, Emiratis topped the list of volunteers with 30 per cent of the total, followed by Indians (2,010), Egyptians (1,837), Syrians (1,319), Pakistanis (977), Jordanian (753), Sudanese (634), Yemeni (564), Palestinian (535) and the Philippines (496).

Emirati volunteer, Hamad Nasser Al Alawi, expressed his happiness at joining the initiative: "I am a volunteer in more than one line, as I sensed that I must fulfil the call of the nation. This experience has changed many of my concepts, mainly regarding the importance of health and education in our lives.

"I would like to thank all those in charge of this initiative as the precautionary measures imposed on ground have supported us to continue our work and united our efforts to face these challenges that we will overcome together."

Sankir Srikumar, an Indian resident, said: "Volunteering in the initiative has allowed me to work in field hospitals and it has given me a sense of purpose since it is the ideal way to support the UAE during these difficult times."

Dr Hossam Muhareb, a Syrian resident and a medical intern, said: "I work as a volunteer doctor at surveying centres in Dubai. I was keen to volunteer to serve the community and my love for giving motivated me to do this work under these exceptional circumstances.

"It has been a great experience in terms of coordination and precautionary standards to ensure the safety of all."

The "UAE Volunteers" campaign reflects a developing success story that enhances the features of social cohesion and cooperation between all individuals and groups of society.

The campaign has achieved unprecedented accomplishments in supporting national efforts to address the impact of Covid-19.