New initiative: How UAE is enhancing the quality of life for senior citizens, expats
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes
The UAE's Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (
The initiative introduces a suite of innovative and integrated services designed to enhance the well-being, dignity, and independence of elderly citizens and long-time residents.
Key components include the National Housing Specifications Guide for Senior Citizens, free housing design options via the 'Darak' platform, and voluntary engineering consultations in energy, electricity, and construction through the 'Aounkom' initiative.
Dedicated advisors with experience in social services and fluency in local dialects have been appointed at MoEI service centres in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
They are tasked with delivering tailored assistance and managing exceptional cases with sensitivity.
Gender-specific services
The initiative also introduces gender-specific enhancements. For elderly women, the 'Leen Babek' service enables home-based transaction processing to ensure privacy and comfort. For men, increased mobility support includes reserved parking, smart service desks, and personalised assistance through to the completion of services.
A 'Golden Counter' has also been launched at service centres to prioritise senior citizens' transactions, alongside workshops aimed at increasing digital literacy among the elderly and offering direct support with digital services when needed.
We Are Your Support to empower senior citizens and residents
Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI, said the initiative aligns with the leadership's commitment to providing personalised, human-centred public services.
'We believe that serving the elderly is not just a duty, but a privilege and a gesture of gratitude toward a generation that contributed to building the nation,' Al Olama said. 'The 'We Are Your Support' initiative was designed to be a model of empowerment and care, delivering an exceptional service experience that reflects the appreciation they deserve.'
He added that the initiative is part of a broader government strategy to eliminate bureaucracy and deliver proactive, seamless, and smart services that reflect the values of inclusion and respect for all community segments.
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