During the scorching summer months in the UAE, residents are stepping up to make life easier for laborers and outdoor workers by spreading kindness and compassion. Social media influencers are using their platforms to launch campaigns that inspire their followers to take action. Many influencers are sharing videos of themselves placing boxes filled with ice, water bottles, and juice packets outside their doorsteps for delivery drivers working in the extreme heat. Alaa Abo Holy, an influencer with over 185,000 followers on Instagram, encouraged her followers to do the same, emphasizing the importance of showing kindness to those working hard in the heat.
In addition to influencers, many residents across the country are joining in to support laborers and passersby by offering free water coolers outside their residences. This culture of generosity and giving is spreading across the emirate, with people like Mohammed Hussein and Yacoub Hussein Al Jasmi setting up water coolers outside their homes to provide relief for those in need. Yacoub shared that setting up a water cooler was simple and inexpensive, and emphasized the importance of regular maintenance to ensure the water remains clean and safe for consumption.
The Dubai government has also taken a similar initiative with the Dubai Can project, which provides free water to residents and tourists in the city through 46 water fountains across various areas like Kite Beach and Dubai Marina. The values of compassion and giving are further evident in mosques across the emirate, where fridges are stocked with water to help people in need stay hydrated. Abdulrahman Hamad shared that people constantly refill the fridges near mosques with water boxes, ensuring they are never empty for those in need.
Recently, the ‘Al Freej Fridge’ campaign has been distributing cold water, juices, and ice cream to workers in neighborhoods across Dubai to mitigate the effects of the summer heat and promote compassion in the community. This campaign, which will benefit one million workers, is set to continue until August 23. However, authorities remind the public to adhere to regulations to prevent water contamination, especially in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah where installation of water coolers in public places requires approval to ensure safety and cleanliness.
Overall, the acts of kindness and generosity displayed by residents and influencers in the UAE during the hot summer months highlight the community’s spirit of solidarity and compassion towards laborers and those in need. By providing essentials like water and snacks, setting up water coolers, and participating in campaigns like the ‘Al Freej Fridge’, people are coming together to make a difference and ease the challenges faced by outdoor workers during the summer season. These initiatives not only offer relief from the heat but also foster a culture of giving and care for others in the community.
