Are you one of the thousands of people in the United Arab Emirates right now? In this time of uncertainty, we have compiled a list of important helplines, embassy numbers, flight disruptions and ways to stay up-to-date with official sites. Flights schedules are changing constantly with the airspace regulations. The Dubai Media Office urges all residents and tourists to closely follow official sources of information. Here is everything you need to know in this confusion.
Keep an eye out for official government sources
When there is a crisis, it is easy to fall into panic mongering and social media forwards. Make sure you seek out the latest updates only via official sources of information. Always make sure you are reading and forwarding only government updates on social media. A few official pages include:
- UAE Ministry of Interior (@moiuae)
- Ministry of Defence (@modgovae)
- UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (@GCAAUAE)
- Dubai Media Office (@dxbmediaoffice)
- Abu Dhabi Media Office (@ADmediaoffice)
- Dubai Airports (@dubaiairports)
- Abu Dhabi Airports (@ad_airports)
- UAE Government Media Office (@uaegov)
Information about UAE airports and accommodation
Avoid travelling to the airport if you are unsure about your flight status. It is advised that you only head to the airport once you confirm with the airline. You can also monitor official channels of airports and reach out to the airlines for help.
Reddit and Twitter users are advising passengers with delayed flights to contact hotels or Airbnb hosts to extend stays and negotiate better rates. Community groups, WhatsApp forwards and social media accounts are extending free or discounted accommodation options to stranded passengers. Some Dubai residents are going the extra mile and opening their homes to those in need.
How to contact your embassy or consulate
The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai are available, in case of emergencies, on 800-46342 (toll free) or messaged on WhatsApp on +971543090571.
If you require assistance or advice, you can also contact your country’s embassy or consulate for the most relevant and up-to-date information. Some embassies like the British Embassy in the UAE are asking their nationals to register with them for further information. Several embassies in the UAE have also shared hotline numbers for their citizens who may require urgent assistance in light of the Middle East conflict:
- US Embassy: +97124142200
- UK Embassy: +97143094444
- Philippine Embassy: +971508137836
- India Embassy: 80046342
- Pakistan Embassy: +97124447800
- Nepal Embassy: +971503949304
- Bangladesh Embassy: +97124465100
Emergency helplines
In case of an emergency, you can call the following numbers from anywhere in the UAE:
- 999 for Emergency Police (or 112)
- 998 for Ambulance
- 997 for Fire Department (Civil Defence)
- 996 for Coastguard
- 995 for Find and Rescue
- 992 for Water
- 991 for Electricity
- 901 for Non-Emergency Police
- 8004673 for Emotional and Mental Health Support
- 800111 for Well-being and Stress Management
Official sources say that the government is monitoring the developments very closely and the public is advised to remain cautious and to follow instructions from the relevant authorities.
