The UAE has designated September 9 as an annual “UAE Emergency Number Day” as authorities launched a nationwide campaign encouraging the public to use the 999 emergency line only for genuine emergencies.
The initiative was launched on Wednesday by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with Dubai Police and police forces across the country under the slogan “Every Second Makes a Difference”.
The campaign aims to reduce non-emergency calls to 999, improve the accuracy and quality of information provided by callers and ensure emergency lines remain available for incidents requiring immediate police intervention.
Authorities are also highlighting the difference between the two main police contact numbers. While 999 is designated for emergencies requiring urgent assistance, 901 is intended for general enquiries and non-emergency police services.
As part of the campaign, awareness messages will be delivered to different sections of the community in multiple languages. The messages will explain when residents should contact the police, what information callers should provide and which number should be used depending on the nature of the situation.
Authorities said responsible use of emergency services can help ensure that urgent calls are handled quickly and that police resources remain available for people who genuinely need immediate assistance.
