"Mishwar" aids 575 senior citizens, people with disabilities

The Sharjah Social Services Department, represented by the Senior Citizens Services Center, successfully organized more than 575 trips, designed for senior citizens and people with disabilities, help them meet their various needs and transportation needs during 2025, as part of the “Mishwar” initiative launched by the department in 2022.

Khulood Al Ali, Director of the Senior Citizens Services Center, confirmed that this service helps senior citizens in Sharjah get to government offices easily. It ensures that they have a reliable way to travel when they need assistance with important matters, as well as transportation to recreational and shopping places, associations and cooperatives to buy daily needs, and pharmacies to obtain medicines.

She explained that the department provides service vehicles for transportation across the various areas of the Emirate of Sharjah. The vehicles are arranged into 9 groups spread out across various areas, and each group has nine vehicles, which can vary based on the frequent demand in each area. The setup ensures that everyone gets the service they need, regardless of their locations. For example, there are nine vehicles dedicated to fulfilling "Mishwar" requests in Sharjah city, while the remaining vehicles are distributed across other areas as follows: one vehicle each in Khorfakkan, Kalba, Mleiha, Al Mudam, Al Dhaid, and Al Bataeh; six vehicles in Dibba Al Hisn; two vehicles in Al Hamriyah; and twelve vehicles in Sharjah.

Al Ali added that the most requests are for transportation to hospitals or  government entities. A driver and a social worker are assigned to help people during the trip.

The Director of the Senior Citizens Services Center noted that the service has been widely adopted by senior citizens because it provides a sense of comfort and stability, especially for elderly individuals living alone.

In order to get "Mishwar" service, the applicant must be aged 60 or above. Application can be submitted via several ways: website, toll-free number, or an app. It will take 48 hours for the application to be processed once submitted. The appointments are booked during the department’s regular working days.

There are certain required documents when applying to the service, including: Emirates ID, a certificate confirming free from infectious diseases, a proof of UAE citizenship, Sharjah residency permit, and confirmation of registration with home care services for the elderly.