Emergency numbers and getting help in the UAE

In an emergency, the right number and a clear message can save precious minutes. Learn these now, so you never have to search for them when your hands are shaking.

Key UAE emergency numbers

• 999: Police. Use it for crimes and any emergency where you need the police (UAE Government portal).
• 998: Ambulance. Air ambulances can be sent if needed.
• 997: Fire (Civil Defence). Call for any fire.
• 996: Coastguard (in Abu Dhabi, the National Guard). In Dubai, the portal also lists the Dubai Coast Guard on +971 566 8243 43.
• 995: Search and rescue. 991: electricity failures.
• These numbers work anywhere in the UAE. 999 handles all emergencies, and its operations room coordinates the response to your location (Emirates 24|7), so if you are unsure, call 999.

What to say on the call

• Stay as calm as you can and speak clearly. Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services suggests covering five points, known as C-LINE (Emirates 24|7):
• Chief complaint: why you are calling, for example 'my friend has collapsed and is not breathing normally'.
• Location: area, street, building name, flat or unit number, floor and a nearby landmark.
• Incident: what happened, such as a fall, a fight or a road accident. Number of people hurt. Extent of injuries: conscious, breathing, bleeding, burns.
• Wait for questions and do not just hang up (Mediclinic). Follow the operator's instructions until help arrives.
• If your location changes or the person gets worse, call back.

Apps and location features

• Learn to find your exact location fast: open your map app, drop a pin and read out the street and nearby landmark.
• The UAE Government portal says Advanced Mobile Location helps notify police of your location when you make a distress call.
• The Dubai Police app has a 'Protect Child and Woman' option on its home page. You slide the SOS button and police respond to your location (Gulf News, 2022). Use it only for real emergencies.
• The DCAS SOS app (Dubai) requests an ambulance and determines the patient's exact location. In Abu Dhabi, the AD999 app has an SOS button to reach the emergency helpline.
• Set up Emergency SOS and medical ID on your own phone so it can call for help and show key details from the lock screen.

Child protection and support lines

• Ministry of Interior hotline for violence and abuse against women and children: 116111.
• Dubai Foundation for Women and Children: 800111.
• Dubai Police Al Ameen (confidential reporting): 8004888.
• Abu Dhabi Police Aman: 8002626, or SMS 8002828 (as listed on the UAE Government portal).
• Sharjah child and women protection: 800 700. Ajman Hemaya: 800446292.
• All of these numbers are listed on the UAE Government portal. If you are in immediate danger, always call 999 first.

Travelling abroad: 112

• 112 is the emergency number everywhere in the European Union, free of charge, from fixed and mobile phones (European Commission).
• 112 is also used in some countries outside the EU, and the European Commission notes it can be reached on GSM mobile networks worldwide.
• In some countries, mobile networks redirect 112 to the local number, such as 911 or 000. This varies, so it is not guaranteed everywhere.
• Before any trip, look up the local emergency numbers and save them in your phone. In the UAE, use 999, 998 and 997.