Nasser Al Zaabi, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Community Development, recently addressed a UAE government media briefing on developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Addressing the briefing, he explained preliminary results of a recent survey conducted to analyze public opinion on COVID-19 recovery and return to normalcy in the UAE as it witnessed a significant rise in optimism among community members on the government.

In the month of August 2021, optimism level among UAE community members rose to 94 percent while the level of trust in the government's COVID countermeasures rose to 95 percent. Furthermore, Al Zaabi noted that the country has emerged successful in boosting safety and security in the country.

"All government authorities have combined to achieve the national and community objective - to make the UAE among the first countries to recover from the pandemic, by providing everything required to return to normalcy, including the vaccine," Al Zaabi said.

Relevant sectors across the UAE have also showcased their readiness and flexibility in addressing different challenges by developing plans and initiatives to combat the spread of the pandemic.

According to a recent recovery developments report "Strengthening community resilience in the recovery from the multiple impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic", 15 national community authorities launched around 65 initiatives as part of national goal to combat the pandemic.

Al Zaabi underlined that the UAE has achieved positive results in terms of enhancing the community's confidence in recovery levels as part of the framework of the strategic index titled "Optimism about Living Conditions". 95 percent out of the target 100 percent key sectors have returned to normal activities as well as religious activities in places of worship have resumed by 100 percent.

These measures have boosted the level of community members’ confidence in the country’s recovery measures at 53 percent, surpassing the target of 50 percent.

"Regarding the community’s optimism, we achieved a result of 103 percent in the index covering community members who feel they can fulfil their basic needs, achieving 59 percent out of the target of 60 percent, while in terms of the level of optimism about the return to normalcy, we achieved 54 percent, exceeding the goal of 50 percent," he added.

The survey assessed the initiatives and procedures implemented by the UAE government to ensure a safe return to normalcy in the country. According to the figures, 90 percent of people supported gradual reopening of mosques and other places of worship, 79 percent backed complete return of employees to workplaces and 73 percent showed interest in return of students to schools.

The optimism level among community members on UAE government's initiatives during COVID-19 increased to 94 percent in August 2021 compared to 34 percent in April 2020. Furthermore, the confidence level on the UAE government has boosted to 95 percent in August 2021 from 25 percent in April 2020.

Al Zaabi also underscored the achievements of the Ministry of Community Development in serving the local community, with priority given to vulnerable group such as senior citizens, children, students and people of determination.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the authorities set up a COVID-19 vaccination centre for students, senior citizens and people of determination in the Ajman Customer Happiness Centre of the Ministry of Community Development. It will also facilitate smooth and safe return of students to in-person classes.

"The second edition of summer community platform activities and initiatives concluded at the end of August and attracted 14,031 participants representing all community segments, including children, the youth, parents, senior citizens, people of determination and students," he added.

In 2021, the UAE recorded 150 percent of physical and virtual participation in over 35 workshops organized to create awareness about five key areas including agriculture, culture and entertainment, family, health and sports. More than 5,688 attendees along with thousands of community members participated in these interactive workshops as a show of support to the initiatives. 

WAM