GDRFA Dubai distributes 58,000 refreshments to workers to combat heat stress

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) distributed 58,000 units of chilled water, juices, and ice cream on Tuesday, 18 August, as part of the third edition of the "Freej Fridge" initiative. The campaign reached more than 18,000 workers across four primary locations in the emirate to mitigate health risks during peak summer temperatures. Targeted Support for Outdoor Workers Organised by the Furjan Foundation, the initiative specifically targets laborers in high-exposure sectors, including construction, sanitation, delivery services, agriculture, and road maintenance. A fleet of refrigerated vehicles was deployed to labour-intensive sites to provide immediate relief from heat stress and dehydration. The operation was supported by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, in collaboration with the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE) and the UAE Food Bank. Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director-General of GDRFA Dubai, stated that the directorate’s participation serves to translate humanitarian values into direct action. He noted that the initiative is an extension of the department's social responsibility framework, prioritizing the health and safety of the workforce within its institutional culture. Community Volunteering and Logistics The third edition of the campaign saw the participation of 70,000 employee volunteers who assisted in the logistics and distribution of refreshments. By utilizing mobile…