Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
More than 1.7 million volunteer hours were recorded in Abu Dhabi in 2024 — a record-breaking figure that proves a greater sense of social responsibility in the community. For the volunteers who made it happen, their contributions wouldn’t have been possible without the local government’s support.
The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi (DCD) has recorded a significant 95% increase in volunteer hours from 873,787 in 2023 to 1,709,177 hours in 2024, according to recently disclosed figures.
Hamda Alkaabi, a volunteer for programmes that promote social empowerment, lauded the DCD’s commitment to “cultivating a culture of giving and volunteerism”. Its efforts contribute not only to social well-being but also to the emirate’s broader sustainable development goals, she said.
Volunteering's economic impact on Abu Dhabi nearly doubled from Dh62 million in 2023 to Dh123 million in 2024, according to the DCD report.
This rise, which is 98% year over year, highlighted volunteerism’s growing role in the emirate's workforce development, economy, and service delivery.
“Giving time, however, isn’t enough,” Alkaabi told Aletihad. “We also need to work together to improve the community. Making a meaningful contribution is made simple by the DCD's structure and support."
Fatima Salem, a volunteer engaged in environmental and educational initiatives, agreed that the DCD’s programmes and partnerships have made taking part in initiatives much easier.
"The structured and inclusive framework established by the DCD has enabled volunteers like me to contribute meaningfully to Abu Dhabi’s development agenda,” Salem said.
“By aligning individual efforts with strategic national priorities, the DCD ensures that each hour of volunteerism delivers tangible value to society."
In 2024, volunteering took place in a variety of fields, such as healthcare, education, sports, social empowerment, the environment, and elder care.
The number of registered volunteer opportunities increased to 2,527 in 2024, up from 1,185 in 2023. A network of 91 organisations, including government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and grassroots volunteer groups, offered support to make these activities possible.
