MAJRA and Careem announce plans to expand the Rahma Pledge into a year-round initiative, marking a new step towards providing sustainable year-round support for delivery workers in the UAE and consolidating the culture of social responsibility
- Careem and MAJRA share plans to evolve the Rahma Pledge into a year-round initiative, expanding beyond hydration, food and health into education and community engagement for delivery workers, with Nestlé and PepsiCo making initial commitments to its longer-term expansion.
- Arla Foods joins as Official Dairy Partner, taking total partner contributions past AED 1.4 million.
- Careem and MAJRA invite more private-sector organisations to make annual pledges and contribute to the initiative’s next phase.
- This year, the rest areas have welcomed more than 100,000 visits to date and are on track to reach around 125,000 by 15 September.
Careem, in partnership with MAJRA National CSR Fund, today announced plans to expand the Rahma Pledge summer initiative into a year-round initiative supporting delivery workers across the UAE. The announcement came at a partner recognition event, which brought together the organisations that contributed to the initiative this summer.
HE Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the MAJRA Board of Trustees, said: “The expansion of partnership between National CSR Fund MAJRA, Careem and their partners under the Rahma Pledge initiative is a distinguished national step that reflects the UAE’s values of compassion, partnership and concern for members of society; consolidates the culture of social responsibility and enhances the sustainable impact. Delivery workers are an essential part of daily life across the country and supporting their wellbeing is an important area where collaboration between government, the private sector and the community can make a meaningful difference. By expanding this initiative into year-round support, Careem, MAJRA and their partners are showing what is possible when the private sector comes together around a common purpose. We encourage more organisations to join this effort.”
The Rahma Pledge returned for its second summer in June 2026 as Careem and MAJRA’s Captain Summer Initiatives, delivering four months of practical, on-the-ground support to delivery workers across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, and reaching Al Ain for the first time. The programme was open to every delivery worker in the UAE, regardless of which platform they work for.
Nine air-conditioned mobile rest areas operated daily from 10am to 5pm at high-traffic delivery zones, giving workers a safe space to pause, cool down and rehydrate between deliveries. Free health screenings were also delivered in partnership with Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD), while chilled drinks, snacks and refreshments were available at every station.
As of early September, the rest areas have welcomed more than 100,000 visits and are on track to reach around 125,000 by 15 September, up from 86,000 last summer.
Together, the partners mobilised more than AED 1.4 million in products, services and direct contributions. As Official Refreshment and Snack Partner, PepsiCo stocked beverages and snacks across all stations throughout the summer. Nestlé contributed food and beverages as Official Community Partner, while PAD served as Official Healthcare Partner. One Shot supplied hydration products as Official Hydration Partner, and Arla Foods, the newest partner to join the Rahma Pledge, provided chilled dairy beverages as Official Dairy Partner.
The year-round programme will adapt support to each season and expand services beyond hydration, food and health into education and community engagement. Nestlé and PepsiCo have made initial commitments to continue supporting the initiative beyond the summer and to contribute to its longer-term expansion, and all partners have been invited to make annual pledges so next summer’s fleet is ready before the first heatwave.
Mudassir Sheikha, CEO and Co-founder of Careem, said: “Captains are the heart of Careem and the high quality of daily life that all of us enjoy across the UAE. This summer, together with MAJRA and our partners, we welcomed more than 100,000 visits to our rest areas and kept delivery workers cool, healthy and refreshed, whichever platform they work for. This support shouldn’t end when the temperature drops, and with our partners we’re working to take the Rahma Pledge year-round.”
Sarah Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of MAJRA National CSR Fund, said: “The Rahma Pledge shows what is possible when companies come together around a shared purpose. Every partner brought something different, and delivery workers across the UAE felt the difference. This is the beginning of a broader movement, and we invite more organisations across the private sector to join us as we take this initiative beyond the summer and build a stronger culture of corporate responsibility.”
This year’s 9 rest areas offered 358 seats, an 89% increase on 2025, alongside an extra operating hour each day. Delivery workers rated the rest areas 4.92 out of 5 on average, with around 96% of ratings at 5 stars. Every visit was verified through a QR check-in at each station, giving the initiative a clear, measurable record of its impact. After 15 September, registered workers will be invited to share their feedback, with results published in a closing report. Their input will shape the Rahma Pledge as it grows, improving the support on offer with every season.
