Sharjah 24 – WAM: Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, chaired the first meeting of the National Opportunities for Volunteering During Crises Task Force, including representatives of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), Emirates Foundation, as well as a number of competent authorities.

During the meeting, the Minister of Community Development directed the task force to put together a plan for the next phase in terms of cleaning the areas affected by the recent weather turbulence in the eastern regions. This followed the launch of the 'Together Hand in Hand' campaign, in coordination with the Fujairah government, with the aim of cleaning up the streets and affected areas in Fujairah.

The meeting announced that more than 500 volunteers registered through the National Volunteering Platform (volunteers.ae), are to participate in the campaign, which begins today and continues until the goals are achieved, in cooperation with NCEMA, the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), the Ministry of Interior, Emirates Foundation, Fujairah Municipality and Fujairah Department of Public Works.

As part of the efforts of the Ministry of Community Development in collaboration with various federal and local government authorities, private sector and civil society entities, affected families by rain and floods in the eastern regions are being provided temporary shelter in a number of hotels and hotel apartments in neighbouring areas in the UAE, thus the Ministry and a number of volunteers continue to do exceptional work to support these families. In collaboration with Emirates Foundation, 145 registered and trained volunteers were involved in organising the transportation and services for affected families.

Volunteers work from the morning till the evening, through the ministry's call centre to reach out to affected families, targeting 3,983 senior citizens and people of determination by calling them, asking about their needs and requirements, ensuring their safety, and securing all their needs.

Since Friday, volunteers have completed 1,300 calls with senior citizens, people of determination, family members affected by floods in the eastern regions accommodating their urgent needs in coordination with competent authorities. The volunteers also continue to check the affected families after their transfer to hotel apartments in Al Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Ajman and Dubai.

Volunteers from the Ministry of Community Development also provided food, medicine and clothing on a daily basis to residents of hotel establishments from affected families.