The Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi (DCD), in cooperation with the Family Care Authority (FCA), organised a joint media engagement event to highlight the Abu Dhabi Family Wellbeing Strategy, shed light on the role of the Authority and the comprehensive services it provides, and introduce its call centre number.

The joint media engagement event was attended by His Excellency Eng. Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the DCD, Her Excellency Dr. Bushra Al Mulla, Director General of the Family Care Authority, alongside several prominent leaders from both organisations.

In a statement given by Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the DCD , His Excellency emphasised the unwavering commitment of the leadership to ensure a high quality of life for citizens and resident families. He also underlined the importance placed on families being given care and attention as they are the nucleus of society, and highlighted the leadership’s continuous efforts to address the aspirations and needs of individuals. These efforts are grounded in the belief that human capital is the country’s most valuable asset.

His Excellency Dr. Mugheer underscored that families are the foundation of society and a pillar of sustainable development, and this was what inspired the creation of the Abu Dhabi Family Wellbeing Strategy, which was adopted by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, headed by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council. The Strategy was launched by the DCD with the aim of enhancing the overall quality of life within society and exemplifies the department's role as a regulator of the social sector.

His Excellency Dr. Mugheer said: “The strategy includes a range of initiatives and programmes that are designed to address the needs of youth, family, and the elderly, and will be implemented in cooperation with our esteemed partners. The strategy’s goal is to make a social impact by enhancing the quality of life of community members, promoting stronger family cohesion, and continuing to enhance the well-being of the elderly. Additionally, it will also help support young people about to get married, and provide them with the necessary skills needed to establish successful future families.”

His Excellency also expressed that the department is committed to realising its vision of providing a decent life for all members of society. In order to achieve this vision, the DCD takes an integrated approach to working with all its partners.

The Family Care Authority, which is affiliated with the DCD, plays a pivotal role in achieving the goals of the Abu Dhabi Family Wellbeing Strategy, leveraging the role and competencies they are entrusted with. This is in addition to the qualitative services the FCA provides as the unified central authority overseeing all social care services for families in Abu Dhabi. Al Khaili commended the efforts made by the FCA since its establishment, highlighting its alignment with the approved strategy aimed at providing the best services to the community.

His Excellency Eng. Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development, said that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is keen to enhance the quality of life of the community and to continue to raise their living standards, ensuring Emirate's community well-being, in line with the Department's vision to provide a dignified life for all community members.

Hamad Al Dhaheri added that Abu Dhabi's Family wellbeing strategy and its qualitative programmes and initiatives serve the individual and the family’s quality of life ", The strategy came after several detailed studies of all pillars that could enhance the family wellbeing life. In addition to the joint effort with various partners from government, private and third sectors, as well as members of the community, to enhance the Strategy's effectiveness and to ensure that its objectives are achieved.

The Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development highlighted the importance of the strategy launched last July in consolidating the educational role of parents and enhancing the quality of life of the elderly and supporting the youth, which contributes to enhancing the role of the family and maintaining the unity and the community cohesion.

He also highlighted the importance of the role played by the Family Care Authority in supporting the strategic goals of enhancing the Family wellbeing. It is an institutional organization that contributes to the acceleration of social development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through integrated services provided to various segments of the community.

The Department of Community Development will continue to work with all partners and through various initiatives and strategies to serve individuals and families and achieve their aspirations.

Her Excellency Dr. Bushra Al Mulla said: “The Family Care Authority’s advanced services are considered a significant milestone in our commitment to enhancing the well-being of families in Abu Dhabi. By recognising the different stages of life and prioritising families' diverse requirements and needs, the FCA aims to deliver consolidated specialised services through its direct contact number, serving as a single point of contact for all needs. The mission of the FCA is to provide fully encompassing services to family-care beneficiaries, empower socially vulnerable families, children, and youth, in coordination with all social entities.

"Through collaboration with our stakeholders, coordination with private, public and social sector entities, and constant innovation, the FCA will strive to strengthen family bonds, promote social cohesion, and improve the overall quality of life for individuals across Abu Dhabi. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive support and setting a global standard for family care."

Her Excllency Dr. Bushra Al Mulla also revealed a range of services provided by the FCA, including: social and psychological counseling, integration programmes, support for caregivers, emergency support and temporary shelter. These services address various social cases, including family disputes and social challenges faced by children, juveniles, and vulnerable groups. The call centre phone number for receiving cases has also been announced as 800444.

Community event that highlights FCA’s role and services

During the joint media engagement event, the Family Care Authority highlighted the launch of an immersive and interactive community event at Al Qana, scheduled taking place on 13 until 15 from 10am to 10pm. The event aims to showcase the authority’s services and introduce the call centre number designated for reporting social cases. It is open to individuals and families from the Abu Dhabi community, including citizens, residents, and visitors.

The launch of the Family Care Authority represents a step forward in Abu Dhabi’s efforts to enhance social progress and improve the quality of life of families. The FCA aims to create a sustainable impact by empowering families and developing social support systems that contribute to the excellence of Abu Dhabi in line with the Global Quality of Life Index. The FCA, through its focus on the family and its cooperation with relevant partners, also aspires to nurture a society that values the role of the family as the nucleus of an advanced society.