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UAE Rescue teams have handled over 85,000 rescue requests in the past four years
A screenshot of the video shared by the UAE relief organization on Instagram.
Volunteer UAE rescue teams have seen a 10-fold increase in calls for help as the country’s winter and camping seasons begin.
“Every day we receive reports of people who are stranded in the desert,” said Ali Al Shammari, the group’s founder. “Honestly, we can’t even count because when we got the call and set about rescuing them, we came across at least two or three other cars on the road that needed help. So the actual number of people we helped was far greater than what we had in Requests received on the application.”
Founded in 2018, UAE Rescue has handled more than 85,000 rescue requests in the past four years. It also played an important role in the aftermath of flood cleanup efforts in Jebel Jais and Fujairah, in cooperation with the authorities. The team has more than 3,000 volunteers, 300 of whom have access to highly specialized rescue equipment at all times.
The group primarily operates through its app. Those in need can log their requests on it, and the volunteers closest to the scene of the accident can respond. All volunteers can see each other’s location at any time.
Faisal Muslim, a volunteer with the group who lives in Ras Al Khaimah, said he, too, had received several rescue requests since the start of winter. “Last week, I was going to bed when I noticed a request on the app,” he said. “No one responded so I went out and rescued them. It was an Indian family, a husband, a wife and her father. They went for a drive in the desert but got lost. When I finally found them, they were four trapped Hour.”
As winter sets in, camping and off-road locations across the country and surrounding areas are packed with adventure seekers.
“Now is the time for novice explorers to go,” says Dubai resident and experienced off-road rider Anish Mathew. “In summer, only experienced riders go out, but in winter everyone wants to try off-road, and they can’t be blamed. The weather is great.”
Mathew is part of a Telegram group called Desert SOS where people stranded in the desert can seek help. “We’ve had a lot of requests since the start of winter,” he said. “Most of them were trapped near the Al Qudra area. I have done several rescues in the past few weeks because I live very close to it.”
Five tips for staying safe at the beach
Check your vehicle properly: Use the services of an experienced technician or garage. Make sure to check the tires, engine and battery.
Have the necessary equipment: The vehicle should have at least some basic equipment that will help get it out if it gets stuck in sand.
Bring enough food and water: Make sure to bring enough food and water to get you through a few hours in case the vehicle gets stuck somewhere. Also bring some warm clothes with you.
Notify your friends/family: It is very important to let your friends or family know that you will be heading into the desert, especially if the camp is in an area with limited network coverage. This will ensure they can sound the alarm if something unexpected happens.
Download the UAE Rescue App: Install the Emirates Rescue app while off-road. It has volunteers from all over the UAE at all times.
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