Sheikh Hamdan approves free temporary housing, food and aid for flood-affected residents

Dubai residents left without a habitable home or food should be helped free of charge, according to a government directive.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, has ordered developers and management companies to provide alternative housing, food distribution and cleaning services to rain-damaged communities.

In a statement on his website, Sheikh Hamdan instructed all residential property management companies and real estate developers to offer a range of services at no additional cost to all Dubai residents affected by the storm.

This includes alternative housing for residents affected by the weather, distribution of food within affected communities, comprehensive pest control services, security for resident safety, assistance in returning to homes including interior cleaning, monitoring and documentation of damage caused by the rain during the insurance coverage period, and support in assessing potential risks to property.

Sheikh Hamdan asked the Dubai Land Department and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency to work with property developers to work towards restoring normalcy in all communities.

A number of committees were approved during the meeting, which was also attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE. One would be established to urgently assess requests from emirates affected by the crisis. heavy rain.

The Crown Prince stressed that “Dubai is committed to supporting all those affected by the bad weather.”

He said he would personally monitor the progress of response measures.

Support those in need

Another committee has been formed to support the affected people, which will be chaired by Omar Bushahab, Managing Director of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment.

Members include the Community Development Authority of Dubai, Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and the Ministry of Economy and Tourism.

The committee is tasked with responding quickly to requests from citizens affected by the rain.

The Crown Prince also stressed the importance of offering immediate housing to all affected citizens until their homes are repaired.

“The well-being of citizens remains the Dubai government’s top priority,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department has been asked to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need.

The Community Development Authority has been directed to activate the ‘Jew’ platform, which was set up to allow people to easily donate to important causes, so that private sector contributions can be used to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by the heavy rain.

Heavy rains that hit the UAE early this week caused landslides, flooded roads and highways and flooded homes.

Many residents were forced to leave their apartments and villas and abandon their vehicles in the wake of the country’s worst-ever storms.

Residents have since called for food, medicine and drinking water after electricity and water supplies were cut off in some apartment complexes and villa communities.

Updated: April 21, 2024, 8:38 AM