A UAE summer relief drive has provided 5,000 care packages to Dubai delivery riders, including cooling towels, handheld fans, and essential items designed to help workers manage hot weather conditions.
Dubai delivery riders receive 5,000 summer care kits featuring cooling towels and portable fans
Officials advised delivery riders to stay hydrated, pause for adequate recovery breaks, and wear proper safety gear as part of ongoing efforts to protect outdoor workers during the summer season.
Dubai Launches Summer Safety Drive to Support Delivery Riders with Health Kits and Heat Protection Measures
As temperatures continue to rise during the UAE’s summer season, thousands of delivery riders in Dubai are set to receive special health and safety kits as part of an initiative aimed at reducing the risks associated with working in extreme weather conditions.
A total of 5,000 summer care packages will be distributed to delivery riders this month as authorities strengthen measures to support outdoor workers and help protect them from heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The campaign focuses on improving awareness, encouraging safe working practices, and providing practical items that can help riders manage the challenges of operating in hot and humid conditions.
The initiative has been introduced by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in partnership with Keeta under the campaign titled “Safe and Healthy Summer for Delivery Riders.” The programme will continue throughout August and combines several elements, including medical support, safety education, health assessments, and the distribution of essential protective equipment.
Delivery riders spend long hours outdoors, often travelling between locations during some of the hottest parts of the day. The campaign aims to provide them with additional support by offering tools and guidance that can help reduce the impact of high temperatures on their health and performance.
The summer kits being provided to riders include a range of medical and protective supplies designed to support their wellbeing while working. Among the items included are cooling towels and portable hand fans, which can provide temporary relief from the heat while riders are on duty.
In addition to receiving these supplies, participating riders will also have access to health screenings and awareness sessions. These consultations are intended to help workers understand the warning signs of heat-related conditions and learn ways to protect themselves while carrying out delivery tasks during the summer months.
Officials highlighted that delivery riders face increased exposure to difficult weather conditions because their jobs require frequent outdoor movement. Unlike indoor workers, riders spend significant periods travelling on roads and waiting at pickup and delivery locations, making heat management an important part of workplace safety.
Ahmed Al Khzaimy, director of traffic at RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, said delivery riders are among the groups that require additional attention during the UAE’s hottest months due to the combination of high temperatures and humidity.
He explained that heat-related illnesses remain a serious concern for people working outdoors. Conditions such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke can develop when the body struggles to regulate its temperature, especially during prolonged exposure to hot environments.
According to health information from the World Health Organisation referenced by RTA, dehydration can affect a person’s physical and mental abilities. Even a small reduction in body fluids can influence concentration levels, reaction time, and decision-making skills.
For delivery riders, maintaining focus and quick responses is particularly important because they spend much of their working time on roads. Reduced concentration caused by dehydration or heat stress can increase safety risks for riders and other road users.
Authorities have therefore encouraged riders to follow basic safety practices throughout the summer period. These include drinking water frequently, taking adequate breaks during working hours, and using suitable protective equipment while riding.
Staying hydrated is considered one of the most important ways to reduce the effects of extreme heat. When the body loses fluids through sweating, it can also lose essential salts, which may affect energy levels, alertness, and overall performance.
Taking regular rest periods is another key recommendation for outdoor workers. Breaks allow the body to recover from heat exposure and reduce the possibility of developing more serious symptoms linked to prolonged activity in high temperatures.
Officials also stressed the importance of using proper protective gear. Suitable clothing and safety equipment can provide additional protection while riders continue their daily responsibilities in challenging weather conditions.
The campaign reflects wider efforts in Dubai to improve occupational safety and support workers who contribute to essential services across the city. Delivery riders play an important role in the daily lives of residents, providing food, packages, and other services throughout the year.
By combining health checks, awareness programmes, and practical support, the initiative aims to create safer working conditions for riders during the summer season. The distribution of cooling items is intended to provide immediate assistance, while educational activities focus on building long-term awareness about heat safety.
The programme also highlights the importance of cooperation between government authorities and private companies in addressing workplace challenges. Through partnerships such as this, organisations can provide targeted support to workers who are most exposed to environmental risks.
As Dubai experiences peak summer temperatures, authorities continue to remind outdoor workers and employers about the importance of following safety measures. Preventive action, proper hydration, and awareness of heat-related symptoms can help reduce health risks during periods of extreme weather.
The “Safe and Healthy Summer for Delivery Riders” campaign will continue throughout August, providing thousands of riders with resources and guidance to help them work more safely during the hottest months of the year.
Through initiatives like these, Dubai aims to ensure that essential service workers receive the support they need while continuing to serve communities across the city.
More than 70,000 riders
Dubai Expands Safety Efforts as Delivery Sector Growth Drives Need for Rider Awareness
The latest summer safety campaign comes at a time when Dubai’s delivery industry is experiencing continued expansion, with a growing number of riders providing essential services across the emirate. As the sector develops, authorities are placing greater focus on improving safety awareness and ensuring that delivery workers have the knowledge and support needed to operate safely.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has stated that its safety and awareness programmes are designed to reach a large portion of the delivery workforce throughout the year. These initiatives currently cover more than 70,000 delivery riders working across different parts of Dubai.
The ongoing programmes focus on promoting safer riding practices, increasing awareness about road safety, and educating riders about the importance of following traffic regulations. They also address challenges specific to delivery work, including long working hours, frequent travel on busy roads, and exposure to changing weather conditions.
With the number of delivery services increasing, the role of awareness campaigns has become increasingly important. More companies and riders have entered the sector in response to rising demand for online deliveries, making continued training and safety communication a key priority for authorities.
Throughout the year, RTA conducts various outreach activities aimed at helping riders understand safe driving practices and avoid potential risks. These efforts include direct engagement sessions, field visits, educational programmes, and communication campaigns delivered through different platforms.
In 2025, RTA organised more than 120 field-based awareness activities targeting delivery riders. These initiatives reached over 17,000 workers and provided them with guidance on road safety, responsible riding behaviour, and ways to reduce risks while performing their duties.
Beyond direct field engagement, the authority also used digital and communication channels to spread safety messages more widely. Awareness content shared through media outlets and social media platforms reached more than 50,000 delivery riders, allowing important safety information to reach a broader audience.
The combination of face-to-face programmes and online awareness campaigns has allowed RTA to connect with riders through multiple channels. This approach helps ensure that safety guidance remains accessible to workers across the growing delivery sector.
RTA has also reported improvements in road safety outcomes involving delivery motorcycles. According to the authority, the number of fatalities linked to delivery motorcycle incidents decreased from 35 cases in 2024 to 33 cases in 2025.
The reduction was recorded despite the continued expansion of Dubai’s delivery industry, which has seen an increase in both the number of delivery companies and the number of riders operating across the city.
Authorities consider this progress a positive indication of the impact of continued safety awareness and enforcement efforts. However, they continue to emphasise that maintaining safe practices remains essential as the sector grows further.
Delivery riders face unique working conditions because their jobs require frequent movement through busy roads, time-sensitive deliveries, and long periods spent outdoors. These factors make regular safety education particularly important.
Through its awareness programmes, RTA aims to encourage riders to adopt safer habits, including following speed limits, using protective equipment, maintaining vehicles properly, and staying alert while travelling.
The authority’s initiatives are also designed to support the wider goal of creating a safer road environment for everyone. Since delivery motorcycles share roads with private vehicles, buses, and other transport modes, responsible riding behaviour benefits both riders and other road users.
The continued growth of Dubai’s delivery sector reflects changing consumer habits and increasing reliance on online services. As demand rises, maintaining strong safety standards becomes an important part of ensuring the industry develops sustainably.
Government agencies and delivery companies continue to work together to address safety challenges and provide better support for riders. Training programmes, awareness campaigns, and health initiatives are among the measures being used to improve working conditions.
The latest summer campaign adds another layer of support by focusing specifically on the risks associated with extreme temperatures. Alongside year-round road safety efforts, seasonal programmes help address additional challenges faced by outdoor workers during the hottest months.
By combining regular awareness activities with targeted campaigns, authorities aim to create a culture of safety among delivery riders across Dubai. The goal is not only to reduce accidents but also to improve overall working conditions for thousands of people involved in the delivery sector.
As Dubai’s delivery network continues to expand, ongoing education and safety initiatives are expected to remain a key part of managing the industry’s growth. The continued focus on awareness, prevention, and rider support reflects efforts to balance the needs of a fast-growing sector with the importance of protecting workers and road users.
Dubai Safety Campaign Brings Government and Private Sector Support for Delivery Riders
Officials have highlighted that the latest safety campaign forms part of broader efforts to improve working conditions for delivery riders and create a safer environment for everyone using Dubai’s roads. The initiative aims to protect riders from summer-related risks while also encouraging safer practices that benefit other road users.
Ahmed Al Khzaimy explained that the programme supports the authority’s continued commitment to enhancing safety standards within the delivery sector. By providing riders with health resources, safety guidance, and awareness support, the campaign seeks to address some of the challenges faced by workers who spend long hours outdoors.
The initiative has been launched under the wider “Summer Without Accidents” campaign, which is being conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior. The programme focuses on reducing risks during the summer months, particularly for people whose jobs require regular outdoor activity in high temperatures.
Through this collaboration, authorities aim to increase awareness about heat-related health concerns and encourage preventive measures among delivery riders. The campaign also supports wider road safety objectives by promoting responsible behaviour among riders who travel across Dubai every day.
The partnership between government bodies and private organisations highlights the importance of cooperation in supporting workers in essential service industries. As the delivery sector continues to expand, joint efforts between different stakeholders help ensure that riders receive the necessary protection and guidance.
Keeta is supporting the campaign by sponsoring 5,000 health kits that will be distributed among delivery riders. The company’s contribution includes practical items designed to help workers manage the challenges of operating in hot weather conditions.
In addition to Keeta’s support, Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, widely known as Julphar, and Protectol Health are contributing medical and protective supplies as part of the initiative. Their involvement adds further support to the campaign by helping provide resources focused on rider health and safety.
The collaboration brings together organisations from different sectors to address the needs of delivery workers during the summer season. While authorities lead awareness and safety efforts, private companies are contributing through resources and operational support.
Colin Xu, head of logistics operations at Keeta UAE, said companies working in the delivery industry have an important role in supporting the wellbeing of riders. He emphasised that ensuring workers have access to practical safety measures is an essential responsibility for businesses operating in this field.
According to Xu, Keeta’s participation reflects the company’s continued focus on supporting delivery partners through initiatives that improve their daily working conditions. The company aims to provide solutions that help riders perform their duties in a safer and more comfortable manner.
He noted that support programmes such as this can make a meaningful difference for riders, especially during periods of extreme weather. Providing access to useful equipment and safety resources can help workers better manage the demands of their jobs.
The campaign demonstrates how cooperation between government authorities, delivery companies, and health-focused organisations can create stronger safety measures for workers. By combining expertise, resources, and outreach efforts, the initiative aims to reach a large number of riders across Dubai.
Delivery riders play a vital role in the city’s service economy, completing thousands of journeys every day to meet the growing demand for fast delivery services. However, their work also exposes them to challenges such as traffic conditions, long periods outdoors, and extreme summer temperatures.
Initiatives like the latest campaign are designed to provide additional support during these demanding conditions. Through health kits, awareness sessions, and safety information, riders can gain access to tools that help reduce risks while working.
The programme also reflects a wider commitment to protecting workers who contribute to Dubai’s daily operations. Ensuring safe working environments is a shared responsibility involving regulators, employers, and community partners.
As temperatures remain high during the summer season, authorities continue to encourage preventive steps such as staying hydrated, taking appropriate breaks, and following recommended safety practices. These measures can help reduce the likelihood of heat-related illnesses and improve overall workplace safety.
The combined efforts of RTA, the Ministry of Interior, Keeta, Julphar, and Protectol Health demonstrate a coordinated approach to supporting delivery riders. Through continued collaboration, the campaign aims to strengthen safety awareness and provide meaningful assistance to workers throughout the summer period.
The initiative is another example of how Dubai’s public and private sectors are working together to support essential workers while promoting safer roads and healthier workplaces across the emirate.
