Every expat in the UAE should know that there are agencies in the UAE that are tasked to keep the security and safety of the country stronger. Knowing the right departments will help you in times of trouble. As an expat, you also have the right to communicate with them if you think your safety and security are being threatened. You should not hesitate to reach out in case of emergencies.
Related: UAE Emergency Telephone Numbers
To help you with your needs, we gathered all the information that can help you identify which agency or government department you should talk to. In this article, you will know the government departments responsible for the security and safety of locals and expats in the UAE. Note that this is based on what the official website of the UAE disclosed.
Council for National Security
The Supreme Council for National Security is led by H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the President of the UAE. If you are curious about this entity, the council for National Security is the one that plans and implements the national security of the country. It is the agency that makes sure all the threats are being talked to and the country is safe from anything that can threaten the economy, culture, society, and environment.
Ministry of Defense
The Ministry of Defense is aimed to organize and lead all the things that are related to the federal armed forces. Thus, every emirate in the country has local authorities who need to coordinate with this ministry. This is an entity that makes draft laws that support the import of weapons and ammunition to be used other than for national purposes.
Ministry of Interior
The Ministry of Interior is tasked to protect state security, create, organize, and supervise police and security forces, regulate road traffic, and provide protection and security of establishments and property.
It also combines the functions of the police and security systems in the country. In each emirate, the local police are in charge to maintain the law and other orders.
Local police authorities
The local police authorities that can be contacted by any expat are the following:
- Abu Dhabi Police
- Dubai Police
- Sharjah Police
- Ajman Police GHQ
- Umm Al Quwain Police GHQ
- RAK Police General Headquarters
- Fujairah Police General Headquarters
You should be able to contact them online. If you want to specifically talk to any of the police listed above, the official website of the UAE has given their information.
Civil Defense
Civil Defense, on the other hand, is working under the administration of the Ministry of Interior. It is tasked to protect the properties, lives, and environment. This entity is contributing a lot to the industrial and commercial safety in the country.
In each emirate, there is a civil defense department that helps everyone during rescue missions, setting up of volunteer teams and emergency units, and restoring life in disaster-struck areas so as to return them to normal.
Ports, borders, and free zones
The entity that is responsible for ports, boards, and free zones is the General Authority of Ports, Borders, and Free Zones Security. This entity enhances the security capabilities of the country in terms of ports, borders, and free zones. It operates under the supervision of the Supreme Council for National Security.
What it does is to standardized the procedures and requirements needed for security, especially the area of entry and exit in free zones.
Crisis and emergency management
The National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) is established by the Supreme Council for National Security to regulate and coordinate all effort of emergency and management in terms of crisis. This aims to ensure that all citizens and residents in the country are safe, as well as the properties of the UAE. It is also tasked to develop a national plan to answer the calls of emergencies.
Since there are a lot of entities and local authorities who handle emergencies per emirate, NCEMA combines all the roles of these government entities to respond to emergencies, disaster or crisis. It leads the coordination and preparation of the emergency plans necessary for facilities and infrastructures. It is also dedicated to predict and deal with emergencies.
If you have family and friends currently working in the UAE, don’t deny them with such information. Share with them these entities so they would know who to contact in case they need the services of each entity. Also, do not forget to keep your own contact. You might need them in the future especially during the times when you are threatened with your safety and security.