Caring for our Captains in the summer

Summer in the UAE regularly sees temperatures above 45°C. For the delivery Captains who spend hours riding in that heat, relief isn’t optional; it’s essential.

To support those who support us, Careem has relaunched its Captain Summer Initiative, a wide-ranging effort to help protect and care for delivery workers during the hottest months of the year. This offers real support to over 60,000 delivery riders across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah—including riders from other platforms—through a wide network of cooling stations, hydration kits, health checks, and more.

Cooler breaks on hot days

The initiative includes a network of:

• Air-conditioned mobile rest areas

• Solar-powered cooling stations

• Hydration kits with water bottles, towels, and electrolyte supplements

• Free refreshments, including  fruit juices, ice cream, and cold water dispensers 

These stations are strategically placed across key delivery zones, providing Captains with a safe and comfortable space to pause, rehydrate, and reset during long shifts.

This initiative is backed by a formal agreement between Careem and the MAJRA National CSR Fund, signed in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism. This MoU underscores a shared commitment to improving working conditions for Captains as part of the UAE’s broader ‘Year of Community’.

Careem has also partnered with Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) to offer free health screenings throughout the summer. These include basic medical checks and preventive counseling, a simple step that reinforces safety and well-being.

Through such collaborations, summer relief extends beyond a single platform to all delivery riders, recognizing their collective effort in keeping the UAE moving. Careem’s summer-first approach goes beyond this season. The infrastructure of cooling stations, hydration kits, health touchpoints, and rest zones is now part of a growing effort toward smarter, more humane gig infrastructure.

Community beyond delivery zones

Careem hosted an indoor cricket tournament at Danube Sports World, bringing Captains and Careem colleagues together not just for sport, but for honest conversation, providing the Captains with an opportunity to voice their painpoints in a comfortable atmosphere. 

Five spirited teams—Pay Royals, Quik Phantoms, Box Beasts, Food Ninjas, and Express Chargers—each repping a core Careem service, hit the pitch. Pay Royals took home the trophy, but the real win was the energy, camaraderie, and meaningful exchange of feedback that turned a friendly match into a space for connection and listening.

A small pause. A big difference.

As the summer continues, so do our Captain initiatives, through more partnerships, more cooling zones, and more ways to say thank you to the Captains who keep the UAE running.

Because when we take care of our communities, we all move forward together.