Dubai's Land Department showcased the results of the 'Barwa' programme — the first sustainable social and humanitarian real estate programme targeting senior citizens and people of determination — during an interactive workshop organised in cooperation with the Community Development Authority in Dubai at the Zukhor Club.
The results showed that more than 18,000 people had benefited from the programme, including 11,000 men and 7,000 women, in addition to 500 people of determination, with approximately 24,000 transactions completed and a satisfaction rate exceeding 94%.
The workshop was attended by Her Excellency Hessa bint Issa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, and Saeed Mohammed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council.
Khalifa Al Salfah, Senior Administrative Adviser in the Office of the Director General at Dubai's Land Department, affirmed that the series of workshops organised by the department under the programme aims to reach the widest possible segment of target groups and to familiarise them with the available services, initiatives, and how to benefit from them.
He noted that the Zukhor Club was chosen because of its high attendance of senior citizens, which allows for direct engagement with them. He explained that the department intends to organise similar workshops for people of determination in the coming period, stressing that the programme was designed to take into account the varying needs of beneficiaries and provide them with more accessible solutions.
He added that the 'Barwa' programme comprises an integrated suite of services, including 'Al Katib' for tracking transactions within service centres, and 'Al Kitob' for remote property management.
The suite also includes 'Al Mirsal' for immediate digital support, 'Al Tarish' for delivering home-based services to those unable to visit service centres, as well as real estate and financial advisory services, 'Real Estate Katatib', 'Al Barza' lounges, the 'Al Hasila' programme, and the 'Register of the Venerable'.
Regarding the protection of senior citizens from mismanagement of their real estate assets, Al Salfah explained that the department launched the 'Al Hasila' initiative, which provides specialist Emirati property management companies operating under the department's supervision to help senior citizens manage their assets and achieve the best possible returns from them.
For his part, Mohannad Saeed, Director of the Senior Citizens Department at the Community Development Authority in Dubai, affirmed that the 'Barwa' programme represents an integrated community platform that enhances direct engagement with senior citizens and people of determination, and transforms their opinions and observations into practical outcomes that contribute to developing the quality of social services, in cooperation with Dubai's Land Department.
The session featured discussions addressing the needs of senior citizens, particularly regarding facilitating access to services and improving the daily experience, with a number of beneficiaries affirming that the programme had made it easier for them to access services in a way that enhances quality of life. During the session, Rashid bin Hashem, one of Dubai's senior citizens, expressed his appreciation for the launch of the 'Barwa' programme.
He affirmed that it contributes to facilitating access to services and improving their quality, and that it enhances senior citizens' sense of being valued and involves them in discussing their needs and developing solutions, which positively reflects on their quality of life. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Nuaimi, one of the programme's beneficiaries, said that 'Barwa' is an important initiative that came at the right time, expressing his hope that its concept would be extended to various other government departments.
Ahmed Al Suwaidi, another programme beneficiary, said that he makes a point of attending the workshops organised by the programme with the aim of passing on the knowledge to those who were unable to attend, noting that 'Barwa' contributes to protecting senior citizens and people of determination from being exposed to fraud or exploitation.
The programme has facilitated access to services and enhanced quality of life.
Khalifa Al Salfah: The programme takes into account the differing needs of beneficiaries and provides more accessible solutions.