Emirates Foundation and Etihad Rail join forces to help frontline volunteers combat COVID-19

Leading the UAE’s national public-private funded initiatives for empowering youth, Emirates Foundation has announced a strategic partnership with Etihad Rail, developer and operator of the UAE national railway network, to support volunteers at the frontline who are contributing to the welfare of the UAE people that are directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this partnership will enhance support for the #UAE_Volunteers national campaign across the country. The partnership aims to leverage combined resources to support volunteers collaboratively. Furthermore, the partnership reiterates Emirates Foundation’s commitment to strengthen and support volunteering efforts across the nation through providing the right opportunities and encourage a sense of volunteerism among the communities in the UAE.

Mohanna Al Mheiri, Chief of Staff at Emirates Foundation said: “It has become very evident during these challenging times that solidarity is embed in our Emirati culture. We’ve witnessed the strength of our people and government coming together to help combat the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. And today, we’re very honoured with our partnership with Etihad Rail. We intend to develop our partnership and share knowledge and expertise by coordinating between the public and private sectors for the benefit of those in need and, in particular, those struggling during these challenging times. This partnership consolidates our position as an independent national organization that facilitates the empowerment of youth through funded initiatives”.

Through this partnership, Etihad Rails will support Emirates Foundation with its overall program portfolio which aims to create positive social impact on the communities of the UAE. Accordingly, this partnership will aid in attracting more volunteers, program participants, and allow citizens and residents to volunteer in the areas they are most skilled at.

Speaking on the announcement of the partnership, Mohammed Al Marzouqi, Executive Director of Railway Affairs at Etihad Rail, said: “Etihad Rail is pleased to cooperate with the Emirates Foundation, as we value the continued efforts to support the UAE’s diverse society and national initiatives that emphasise the values of cooperation, collaboration, and social cohesion between authorities and institutions in the public and private sectors on the one hand, and different groups in the community on the other. This is based on Etihad Rail’s core values of social responsibility and commitment to promoting national standards, spreading the spirit of giving, positivity and happiness among members of society.”

The activities of the national #UAE_Volunteers campaign, which was announced by the Supreme National Committee for Volunteerism during Crises, was launched in early April, under the umbrella of “volunteers.ae” platform. This was done in partnership between the Ministry of community Development and the Emirates Foundation under the supervision of the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority, within the framework of its vision to unify volunteer activities at the State level, and promote integration and cooperation between all governmental and private sectors, while encouraging community participation and affirming cohesion and cooperation in the UAE, with the purpose of supporting national efforts to counter the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Etihad Rail is the developer and operator of the UAE national railway network, connecting the country’s key centres of trade, acting as a catalyst for economic growth and sustaining economic development. Through this partnership with Emirates Foundation, Etihad Rail will support volunteering efforts at a national level through the #UAE_Volunteers campaign launched by the Higher National Committee for Regulating Volunteering during Crisis last April.