"Belarusians are Belarusians even in Dubai." How compatriots organized help for those who cannot return home due to closed skies
Belarusians living in the United Arab Emirates are helping compatriots who cannot fly out of the country, and who did not anticipate additional expenses, during flight cancellations due to shelling from Iran. "Belsat" writes about how people self-organized in such conditions.
Passengers stranded due to the closure of the international airport await assistance in the parking lot of Dubai Airport. March 1, 2026. Photo: Altaf Qadri / AP Photo / East News
While the sky in the Middle East is closed and many Belarusians who flew to the Emirates for vacation cannot return home, Roman from Minsk, the founder of the ready-meal delivery service ProfitFood in Minsk, together with his ProfitFood initiative in Dubai, is distributing free food there to Belarusians who found themselves in a difficult situation.
The man noted on Threads that he is coordinating with the Consulate General of Belarus, which collects and transmits requests from those requiring "maximum support."
"In a difficult time, the main thing is to remain human. If you or your loved ones need help, contact the Consulate General in Dubai! In difficult times, it is important to stick together. Belarusians do not abandon their own," Roman wrote.
"Belarusians are Belarusians even in Dubai. I'm proud," people write in the comments.
"How nice! You are a wonderful person! We are currently in Dubai, we don't need help, we hope to fly out on time, but it's so pleasant to read such humane words."
Although not everyone understands the decision to help tourists on vacation in a wealthy country.
"What do you mean, free food?! Are these victims of a fire in a village or something? People flew to the UAE, got stuck for a couple of days — and they don't have money for food, it's just crazy."
People also created a Telegram chat for announcements with offers of temporary housing and useful recommendations for tourists stranded at airports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, or who literally found themselves on the streets these days.
"I am a mother with 4 children. They are kicking us out of the Legoland hotel, our flight on March 3 at 19:40 was cancelled yesterday. We need help with accommodation," Katerina requested there.
"If someone needs help — women, children — 2 rooms in a 4-room apartment are free until your flight to the country. Simply 2 rooms are available, ready to help from a pure heart," wrote a Belarusian woman from Dubai above.
"We are a family, if you have real difficulties with accommodation until your flight, for a few nights we can offer one small room to girls or a couple," Aleksey offered.
Local Belarusians offer rooms in their apartments, some are willing to rent an apartment for a week with their own money. However, messages most often concern women and those with children.
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