MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Images of volunteers handing out dates and water at sunset, packing food parcels and serving at community iftars are common sights in the UAE during Ramadan – the busiest season in the year for charitable work.
All volunteering activity in the country is regulated under Federal Law No. 13 of 2018, which defines who may volunteer, how initiatives must be organised and which entities are authorised to run them.
Under the law, volunteering may take place only through licensed and approved organisations.
Individuals or informal groups are not permitted to independently organise volunteer campaigns, particularly those involving public food distribution, fundraising or engagement with vulnerable groups, without official authorisation.
The federal government’s official volunteering gateway is Volunteers.ae, operated by the Ministry of Community Development in partnership with Emirates Foundation.
The platform serves as a central registry for approved volunteering opportunities across all seven emirates and is the only official channel through which individuals can legally volunteer with registered organisations.
Opportunities listed during Ramadan typically include iftar meal distribution, food parcel packing, logistical support at community events and assistance at charity-run centres.
Volunteers must register using their Emirates ID and complete a profile verification process before applying directly to approved initiatives.
Applications are reviewed by the organising entity, which is responsible for training, supervision and compliance with safety standards.
The law prohibits volunteers or volunteer teams from collecting donations or distributing charitable aid without explicit approval. Violations can result in fines ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh100,000.
Large-scale Ramadan volunteering is also coordinated through nationally recognised charities.
The Emirates Red Crescent, one of the country’s largest humanitarian organisations, runs extensive Ramadan programmes each year, including iftar distributions, food aid campaigns, and support for low-income families.
Volunteer roles are announced through official Red Crescent channels and, in many cases, cross-listed on Volunteers.ae.
Under federal law, volunteers must be UAE citizens or residents and are generally required to be at least 18 years old, although minors may volunteer with guardian consent in limited circumstances.
Volunteers must also be of good conduct and medically fit. Where volunteer roles involve professional or technical services, such as healthcare or counselling, the individual must hold a valid UAE licence relevant to that activity.