logo
Ferjan Dubai launches second edition of Al Freej Fridge humanitarian campaign

Ferjan Dubai launches second edition of Al Freej Fridge humanitarian campaign

Zawya6 days ago

With Support from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and in collaboration with Suqia UAE and the UAE Food Bank
UAE, Dubai – Supported by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), Ferjan Dubai, in collaboration with the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia) and the UAE Food Bank, has launched the second edition of the humanitarian community campaign 'Al Freej Fridge.' The initiative aims to distribute 2 million bottles of cold water, juices, and frozen treats to workers across Dubai to help alleviate the effects of summer heat and reinforce the values of solidarity and compassion in the Dubai community.
The campaign runs until August 23, covering various areas across the emirate and targeting cleaning and construction workers, delivery drivers, and road and landscaping workers. The goal is to help reduce health risks associated with high temperatures, such as dehydration and heat exhaustion.
Suqia UAE and the UAE Food Bank play a pivotal role in supporting the 'Al Freej Fridge' campaign and advancing its humanitarian goals. Suqia UAE provides large quantities of bottled water for distribution to workers, while the UAE Food Bank offers access to its equipped warehouses for storing water, beverages, and frozen items. It also allocates refrigerated distribution vehicles to ensure safe and timely delivery to workers, in addition to mobilizing its volunteers to participate in on-the-ground distribution efforts.
Reinforcing Solidarity Values
Ibrahim Al Balooshi, Director of Sustainability and Partnerships at MBRGI, said: 'The 'Al Freej Fridge' campaign reflects the essence of our mission at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, which places people at the heart of its priorities. We aim to reinforce the values of solidarity and compassion within UAE society. This campaign is part of our ongoing support for humanitarian and community-driven initiatives that make a direct difference in people's lives and promote the spirit of human unity.'
He added: 'Al Freej Fridge is a model of collaborative humanitarian action, where institutional efforts meet community energy and volunteerism to tangibly improve the quality of life for workers—individuals who play a vital role in advancing sustainable development, especially during the harsh summer months. We deeply appreciate Ferjan Dubai for its outstanding efforts in running this campaign for the second year in a row, and for its ongoing commitment to supporting the Dubai community.'
A Message of Gratitude
Alia Al Shamlan, Director of Ferjan Dubai, stated: 'The 'Al Freej Fridge' campaign is one of our grassroots community initiatives, inspired by our authentic values and the spirit of solidarity that defines our society. Originating in Dubai's residential neighborhoods, the campaign embodies a message of gratitude to the workers who play a fundamental role in the progress and prosperity of the Emirate.'
She continued: 'Building on the significant success of the first edition in summer 2024, this second edition expands its reach by aiming to distribute 2 million bottles of cold water, juices, and frozen treats to workers. Our goal is to help ease the impact of extreme heat during the summer and ensure their wellbeing as they carry out essential tasks across the emirate. We greatly value the fruitful cooperation with our campaign partners, which is instrumental in achieving our goals and delivering this humanitarian message to the target groups in the most effective way.'
Campaign Implementation
As part of the 'Al Freej Fridge' campaign, Ferjan Dubai deploys refrigerated vehicles that roam various districts in Dubai to distribute water, juices, and frozen refreshments to workers at outdoor working sites.
The campaign also includes fixed fridges placed in workers' accommodations, stocked with water, juices, and frozen items, further expanding the initiative's reach to as many beneficiaries as possible, while attracting volunteers from various segments of the society to participate in distribution efforts.
'Al Freej Fridge' also engages volunteers from all segments of society to take part in the distribution efforts. The campaign has encouraged community members to use their personal vehicles to deliver cold beverages to workers, fostering a spirit of cooperation and social unity in the UAE.
Campaign partners play a critical role by providing resources and logistical support to ensure efficient execution and widespread coverage across Dubai—maximizing its reach, drawing smiles, and bringing joy to workers' hearts.
The first edition of the 'Al Freej Fridge' campaign, held in summer 2024, was a major success, having distributed 1 million bottles of cold water, juices, and frozen treats to workers in Dubai. The initiative also received widespread support from government entities and private companies.
The campaign reflects Ferjan Dubai's efforts to strengthen the commitment of neighborhood residents toward their social responsibility—particularly in appreciation of workers' dedication and hard work.
Ferjan Dubai is a social enterprise that aims to empower local communities in Dubai's neighborhoods and foster strong connections and trust between them and public and private institutions. It does so by encouraging volunteerism and community engagement to drive social movement, elevate quality of life, and promote positive behaviors and values within society.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Etihad Rail delegation explores rail cooperation with Kuwait
Etihad Rail delegation explores rail cooperation with Kuwait

Al Etihad

time8 hours ago

  • Al Etihad

Etihad Rail delegation explores rail cooperation with Kuwait

29 June 2025 21:24 KUWAIT (WAM)A delegation from Etihad Rail, led by the CEO Shadi Malak, met with Dr. Noura Mohammed Khaled Al-Mishaan, Minister of Public Works of the State of Kuwait, to discuss strengthening joint cooperation and exchanging expertise in railway infrastructure among GCC the meeting, Minister Dr. Al-Mishaan highlighted Kuwait's commitment to learning from leading railway development experiences, particularly the successful UAE-Oman partnership in establishing Hafeet Rail, describing it as a model of Gulf integration in transport and infrastructure emphasised that collaboration in this vital sector reflects Kuwait's support for advancing Gulf integration and strengthening economic and geographic connectivity among GCC states. She also stressed the importance of ongoing coordination between technical teams to implement high-quality projects that meet the region's development Al Rashidi, Under-Secretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Public Works, underscored the ministry's priority in leveraging successful regional experiences, noting that early collaboration in planning and execution stages is key to building a sustainable rail network that supports regional integration and shared development meeting included a technical presentation outlining Kuwait's future railway project plans. Minister Dr. Al-Mishaan presented the ministry's vision to establish a sustainable national railway network grounded in regional and international best practices. The vision takes into account both environmental and economic factors, aligning with Kuwait's broader sustainable development objectives.

UAE employees outpace EMEA peers in cyber confidence, study reveals
UAE employees outpace EMEA peers in cyber confidence, study reveals

Khaleej Times

time9 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

UAE employees outpace EMEA peers in cyber confidence, study reveals

The UAE workforce is ahead of its EMEA peers across several indicators of cyber-readiness, underscoring the country's progress toward its national vision for digital resilience and AI-enabled defence, a study showed. According to research by Cohesity, a company specialising in AI-powered data security and resilience, 86 per cent of UAE employees expressed confidence in recognising a cyber threat—compared to 81 per cent in the UK, 80 per cent in Germany, and just 62 per cent in France. Nearly nine in ten (89 per cent) UAE respondents also said they trust their organisation's ability to prevent and recover from attacks. Beyond awareness, the study reveals encouraging signs of action-oriented behaviour. Two-thirds of UAE employees say they would report suspicious activity to their cybersecurity team, showing an apt response, in comparison to respondents from the UK (61 per cent), Germany (53 per cent), and France (48 per cent). Amongst other UAE employees, over half would notify their IT department. This instinct to act is supported by ongoing education: 66 per cent have received some form of cybersecurity training in the past year. However, the research also highlights areas where further progress is needed. A small but notable group of employees say they would either attempt to resolve a threat on their own (15 per cent) or turn to personal contacts first (19 per cent), indicating a gap in internal reporting clarity, and a potentially risk to the entire organisation that mis-understanding of how important it is that reporting through the correct processes is critical to the quickest resolution of any potential risk of cyber attack . Among those hesitant to report incidents correctly, the leading reasons include fear of blame or confusion (46 per cent), a belief that it isn't their responsibility (27 per cent), and worry about overreacting (14 per cent). Johnny Karam, Managing Director and Vice President, International Emerging Region at Cohesity, commented: 'The findings reflect the UAE's clear leadership in cybersecurity readiness across the EMEA region. With initiatives driven by the UAE Cybersecurity Council and a strong national focus on AI and digital transformation, it's no surprise that employee awareness is rising in step with enterprise investment.' 'What stands out is not just awareness, but the willingness to act. The next step is closing the gap—equipping employees with the tools, clarity, and – perhaps most importantly - confidence to respond without hesitation. If we educate all employees of the serious risks to the organisation of not correctly reporting any potential cyber risks they see, encouraging a mentality that they will not get in trouble for doing so, and highlighting their individual capability to maximise the speed of response all UAE organisations can be more resilient. At Cohesity, we believe true cyber resilience is built on both technology and a culture of empowered people,' Karam added. The UAE's continued investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, most recently through advanced threat detection systems activated under the direction of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, demonstrates a firm national commitment to securing the digital landscape. The study shows that employees are already aligning with this vision: ● Two-thirds of the respondents have undergone cybersecurity training, with 39 per cent participating in multiple sessions in the past year. ● Over half (51 per cent) would report a suspicious incident to IT, while 67 per cent would notify a cybersecurity team, demonstrating a willingness to escalate issues through formal channels. ● 77 per cent are familiar with the term 'ransomware', showing widespread awareness of key threat types. Awareness of cyber threats is on the rise in the UAE, with 77 per cent of employees familiar with the term 'ransomware'. This strong baseline offers an ideal foundation to build upon. By expanding education beyond surface-level awareness to include real-world examples and practical training, companies can empower their teams with the confidence and clarity needed to respond effectively. While confidence in reporting and escalating potential ransomware threats within the organisation is high, the study reveals opportunities to further strengthen internal reporting behaviour. Around 15 per cent say they would attempt to resolve a threat themselves, and 19 per cent would first alert their personal contacts, These responses highlight a proactive mindset, which organisations can harness by further strengthening internal reporting protocols and promoting awareness of the appropriate escalation paths. Among the smaller group of employees who expressed hesitation in reporting a potential incident, the most common reasons included: ● UAE employees showed a strong sense of fear of blame or not understanding the issue (46 per cent), while EMEA employees had a more neutral perspective (UK - 26 per cent, Germany - 20 per cent, and France - 15 per cent). ● 27 per cent of the UAE respondents believed it wasn't their responsibility, showing a much bigger gap to appreciating their role in their organisations cyber safety as compared to their EMEA counterparts (UK -10 per cent, Germany - 12 per cent, and France 19 per cent). ● 14 per cent UAE employees feared overreacting, in-tune with 18 per cent of German respondents 15 per cent from the UK and 11 per cent of French respondents showing similar sentiment. With the UAE government actively advancing national cybersecurity capabilities and frameworks, the country is uniquely positioned to lead by example. Employees are ready and willing: confidence is high, training is widespread, and the instinct to act is evident. To fully unlock this potential, organisations must ensure that every employee, from the frontline to the C-suite, knows their role in safeguarding the business. Mark Molyneux, CTO, EMEA at Cohesity, added: 'These findings confirm what we're seeing across the region: employees are increasingly aware of cyber risks and are willing to step up, which is largely due to the UAE Cyber Security Council's approach to increasing security awareness across the Emirates. But this awareness must be matched with action. The future of cybersecurity will be defined by how quickly organisations can enable secure, informed decisions at every level. That means embedding cyber resilience into daily operations, investing in smart automation, closing the gap between detection and response, and instilling a culture that supports employees in raising concerns early in a safe space. In fast-moving threat environments, AI-powered data security is not a luxury, it's an operational necessity.'

Dubai real estate broker programme tops $136m in deals amid Emiratisation drive
Dubai real estate broker programme tops $136m in deals amid Emiratisation drive

Arabian Business

time10 hours ago

  • Arabian Business

Dubai real estate broker programme tops $136m in deals amid Emiratisation drive

The Dubai Land Department (DLD) has revealed that its Dubai Real Estate Broker Programme has driven more than AED500m ($136.1m) in real estate transactions since its launch, as the initiative continues to exceed expectations in boosting Emirati participation in the sector. Designed to develop national talent and promote sustainable economic growth, the programme has now trained and licensed a new generation of qualified Emirati brokers, achieving over 180 per cent of its annual target by the end of April 2025. In total, 231 new real estate brokerage firms have been officially registered under the programme so far. Dubai real estate Emiratisation As part of the initiative, Emirati participants undergo specialised training delivered in collaboration with accredited academic institutions. Graduates receive a three-year broker licence that allows them to operate legally within Dubai's regulatory framework. DLD noted that this has already translated into significantly improved broker performance and greater deal volumes. The programme forms a strategic part of the Dubai Social Agenda 2033, which aims to increase the share of Emiratis working in the real estate brokerage sector to 15 per cent within the next three years. DLD is calling on developers and brokers not yet involved in the programme to participate and contribute proposals. The initiative is built on strong public-private collaboration, with more than 71 strategic partners (including 26 real estate development firms, 38 brokerage companies, and four training institutes) working closely to support its objectives. To further incentivise firms, DLD will soon launch a points-based rewards system for brokerage companies that employ Emiratis. This system will boost participating firms' rankings within the DLD's evaluation framework, improving their competitiveness in the market.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store