UAE fights coronavirus: Emiratis lead from front in volunteering efforts

Abu Dhabi - 'My mother was the first to encourage me. She said to me: Go and serve your country'

UAE volunteers have expressed an "overwhelming sense of pride" in serving the nation by assisting patients at the drive-through testing facility for Covid-19 at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.

A nation-wide volunteering campaign to fight Covid-19 and help families in distress started in April following the UAE Cabinet's approval for the formation of the 'Supreme National Committee for Volunteerism during Crises'. It aimed at creating an integrated and sustainable national volunteering system, in cooperation with all the relevant authorities, individuals and institutions.
And since its launch, thousands of citizens and expats across the UAE have registered to help the government in various fields in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a video shared by Abu Dhabi Media Office on Twitter, some Emiratis, who had volunteered to assist patients at the drive-through testing facility, shared their experiences.
One of the volunteers, a young Emirati woman, said: "When volunteering for the coronavirus started, I rushed to register. My mother was the first to encourage me. She said to me: Go and serve your country."
"This motivates me to wake up every morning and come here to help and serve my country."
Another female volunteer said: "We don't feel tired or exhausted at all. The pride we feel in serving our country makes up for it. I know it's a difficult situation for everyone. But when you look at the targeted objective, this motivates you strongly to overcome any other feelings."

Another volunteer, a young Emirati man, said whatever he's doing for his country and the nation's leaders will never be enough. "We appreciate all those who are adhering to the #StayHome guidelines. Please continue to do that."

The volunteers also thanked the Abu Dhabi government for all the efforts being taken to combat Covid-19.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi