Lt Colonel Dr. Hamdan Rashid Al Tunaiji, Head of the Crisis and Disaster Management Section, has called on all members of the UAE community, particularly the youth, to unite behind the nation’s battle against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by fully adhering to the government’s directions, safety measures and guidelines.

“Everyone should be fully aware of the current national healthcare situation and commit to their responsibilities during this critical period of time. Citizens and residents must not participate in the spreading of rumours or misinformation, and certainly not redistribute any messages with content that might trigger panic and fear in people. This does not help our cooperation efforts,” said Al Tunaiji.

He made this national call on a virtual talk yesterday (Saturday), organised by Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah (SYL) an affiliate of the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating leaders and Innovators. The online discussion was attended by was attended by Sheikha Aisha Khalid Al Qasimi, Director of SYL, over 200 young ladies and men from the UAE and the region, as well as a host of media representatives.

The session forms part of SYL’s ‘Meeting with an Influencer’ series, which has previously brought together top personalities in the UAE with the nation’s youth in inspiring and insightful discussions. The series has launched a special edition focused on heightening community awareness, inculcating positive behaviour, and celebrating the unstinting efforts of healthcare and other frontline workers as the UAE and the world tackle an unprecedented health crisis. This edition will be shining the spotlight on influencers from the healthcare, law enforcement and media sectors.

Al Tunaiji began the discussion by sharing several experiences he had in school and in his life, which inspired him to join the police force. He also spoke about his duties as a father of seven children.

“The UAE is tapping into all its capabilities to fight COVID-19, and I would like to reassure you that all decisions and measures are being taken in the best interest of citizens and residents and will further ensure your safety. The vision of the Crises and Disaster Section at Sharjah Police is based on three important pillars: to save lives, property and the environment, and today we are fully harnessing our capability to save lives,” he added.

Al Tunaiji congratulated the UAE community for their cooperation and commitment to ensuring the success of the ongoing National Disinfection Programme, and said it was crucial to turn this commitment into a community culture, adding that it was especially important now to ensure the safety of families.

Dr. Al Tunaiji also gave his audience an insight into his earlier years as a student at the Sharjah Police Academy (SPA), where he studied from 1998 – 2002, following which he gained a Master’s at the Mubarak Police Academy in 2008. He pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Salford in the UK, earning a PhD in Crises and Disaster Management in 2015.

Al Tunaiji said that he would dedicate a chapter to documenting the entire course the UAE is charting to successfully come out of the COVID-19 crisis, in his book on the general topic of crisis and disaster management, which he is currently working on.

Lt Colonel Al Tunaiji lauded the instrumental role of SYL in building the capabilities of young ladies in the UAE – future leaders in every field who will champion the nation’s values and social ethics.

Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah is dedicated to developing the talents of young ladies aged 13 – 18 years in all creative spheres. Established in 2004 under the Sharjah Children Centres umbrella, it became an independent entity in 2012 following an administrative decree by HH Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA) and Chairperson of the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators.