Food on the move: How Careem, talabat and noon are keeping UAE orders moving w
For millions of residents in the UAE, ordering food or groceries through a smartphone app remains a routine part of daily life
16 March, 2026
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Dubai’s fast-growing food delivery sector is quietly stress-testing its operational resilience as regional tensions linked to the USA, Israel and Iran create uncertainty across the Middle East.
For millions of residents in the UAE, ordering food or groceries through a smartphone app remains a routine part of daily life. But behind the scenes, major platforms are monitoring developments closely, activating safety protocols for riders and maintaining contingency plans to ensure services remain operational.
Companies including noon, Careem and talabat say their platforms remain active across the UAE, with delivery services continuing to process orders normally. At the same time, they are adapting logistics, communicating frequently with riders and coordinating with authorities to ensure safety remains central to operations.
The challenge for these companies is balancing two priorities: maintaining access to essential goods for customers while protecting the thousands of riders who power the region’s gig-economy delivery networks.
Industry executives say their operational models, which rely on distributed logistics networks, digital communication tools and flexible delivery zones, are designed to respond quickly to disruptions.
Still, companies acknowledge that delays, service adjustments or temporary pauses in certain areas may occur if safety concerns escalate.
Platforms maintain operations
Delivery platform noon said its services across the UAE remain operational, with internal teams continuing to monitor developments in the region.
“At noon, our priority remains the communities we serve and the safety of our delivery heroes,” a noon spokesperson said.
The company said its operational teams are maintaining heightened vigilance while ensuring customers can continue accessing services across its digital platforms. “Our teams continue to adapt to the evolving situation, operating with heightened care to protect our people at every step,” the spokesperson said.
Despite regional tensions, the company emphasized that its services remain active.
“We remain fully operational across our platforms, ensuring the services you rely on are fully available as we continue to serve you responsibly and reliably,” the spokesperson said.
Noon said it continues to monitor developments and may provide updates if operational changes become necessary. “Thank you for your patience, and for your kindness toward our delivery heroes during this time,” the spokesperson added.
According to the company, key operational measures currently in place include:
• Operations remain active across all noon platforms.
• Rider safety and support remain top priorities, with teams following required safety protocols.
• The company continues monitoring developments and will provide updates if needed.
Real-time monitoring of delivery zones
Careem, one of the region’s largest ride-hailing and delivery platforms, said it is closely assessing the safety of its operations in real time.
The company said its operational model allows it to evaluate conditions at a granular level across different areas of the UAE. “Careem was founded with a clear purpose: to simplify and improve the lives of people in our region,” the company said in a statement.
“During such times of regional volatility, our primary focus remains the safety of our Captains, customers, colleagues, and partners, while ensuring that we continue to provide essential support to the communities we serve.”
Careem refers to its drivers and delivery workers as “Captains,” a distinction the company says reflects its internal culture.“At Careem, we do not have ‘drivers.’ We have Captains. This distinction is at the core of our culture and shapes how we manage this crisis,” the company said.
To maintain safety, the platform said it is continuously evaluating operating conditions and adjusting services if risks arise.
“Where we have determined that Captain safety may be at risk, or when public safety alerts have been issued, we have taken action immediately,” the company said.
Communication with riders is handled through several channels, including WhatsApp groups, SMS alerts and dedicated support teams.
“We are in active, 24/7 communication with our Captain community through dedicated WhatsApp channels, SMS, and support teams to provide them with real-time guidance on safe operating zones,” the company said.
The company also stressed that riders are not required to remain online during uncertain conditions.“Most importantly, we have reinforced to all our partners that Captains are not required to be online if they have concerns about doing so,” the statement said.
Supply chains under pressure
Beyond rider safety, delivery platforms are also closely monitoring supply chains as uncertainty drives changes in consumer purchasing behavior.
Careem said it has already observed increased demand for essential grocery items across its platform.“We have observed a notable surge in demand for staples such as water, rice, pasta, and fresh produce,” the company said.
To handle these demand spikes, the company said its distribution network is operating with additional capacity buffers.
“Our distribution centers across the UAE remain fully operational,” Careem said.
The company added that it is coordinating closely with both local suppliers and international import partners to maintain product availability.
“We are in continuous coordination with local producers and import partners to maintain steady replenishment cycles,” the company said.
“Our teams are working around the clock to ensure continuity across all services where it is safe to do so.”
Such supply chain flexibility has become increasingly important for delivery platforms that now play a critical role in distributing everyday essentials to urban populations.
Coordination with authorities
As part of their contingency planning, delivery companies say they remain in close communication with government authorities to ensure compliance with safety guidelines.
Careem confirmed that it is coordinating with UAE authorities as conditions evolve.“Careem is in close coordination with the relevant UAE authorities and is following official guidance on safety measures, knowing that the UAE has a highly sophisticated system in place,” the company said.
The company said its internal crisis-management systems allow it to quickly adjust services across business verticals.
“We are helping restore normalcy in these turbulent times through robust and agile crisis protocols, and readiness to modify services across verticals should the safety situation warrant it,” the company said.
Careem chief executive Mudassir Sheikha said operational continuity remains important for communities relying on delivery services.
“Our priority remains the safety of our Captains and the wellbeing of the communities we serve,” Sheikha said.
“Our teams are working around the clock to navigate this situation and continue providing the essential services people rely on.”
However, he acknowledged that the company’s safety-first approach could lead to service disruptions.
“To keep our Captains safe, we are managing operations with extra care. This may result in some disruptions or delays, and we ask for your patience and kindness toward our Captains as we navigate this together,” Sheikha said.
“We hope and pray that peace prevails soon. Stay safe.”
Rider safety at the center of operations
Talabat, another major delivery platform operating across the Middle East, said rider safety remains central to its operational strategy during periods of instability.
“At talabat, the safety and wellbeing of the riders, customers, and partners is our absolute priority and guides every operational decision we make,” said May Youssef, senior director of Corporate Affairs at talabat.
The company said it continuously monitors regional developments and adjusts its operations accordingly.
“We continuously monitor developments across the region and operate only where it is safe to do so, always in coordination with local authorities and in line with official guidance,” Youssef said.
A key element of talabat’s approach is ensuring riders retain full flexibility over whether they work.
“Riders are never required to log in. If they do not feel comfortable working, they can choose to stay offline at any time with no consequences,” she said.
For riders who voluntarily choose to remain active on the platform, the company has introduced additional financial incentives.
“For those who voluntarily choose to be online, we have introduced additional financial support during this period,” Youssef said.
Operational monitoring on the ground
Talabat said it has deployed dedicated operational teams to monitor rider safety and delivery conditions in real time.
Across the UAE, more than 30 field staff members known as “tPatrollers” are responsible for providing on-ground support to riders.
“Across the UAE, more than 30 tPatrollers actively support riders in real time, monitoring conditions, ensuring rider safety, and providing operational updates across the network,” Youssef said.
In addition, supervisors stationed at talabat Mart locations coordinate operations and logistics.
“More than 10 talabat Mart supervisors are stationed directly at our stores, overseeing operations at store level and working closely with tPatrollers to ensure safe and coordinated operations,” she said.
Delivery zones may be temporarily paused if safety risks arise.
“Specific zones or areas may be temporarily paused based on guidance from local authorities, and services only resume once it is confirmed safe to do so,” Youssef said.
“During these periods, no deliveries are assigned in those areas, and riders are immediately informed.”
Technology and insurance safeguards
Delivery platforms are also relying on technology and insurance systems to support rider safety.
Talabat said riders benefit from enhanced accident insurance coverage through fleet partners as well as digital safety monitoring tools.
“Our platform also uses technology-enabled safety programs, including telematics tools that promote safer riding behaviour and monitor driving patterns,” Youssef said.
Riders are also required to follow strict safety protocols while on the road.
“These include operating only in areas deemed safe by authorities, adhering to traffic laws, wearing mandatory protective equipment such as helmets and safety gear, and following safety standards supported by telematics technology,” she said.
Ensuring access to essentials
Maintaining stable access to everyday goods has also become a priority for delivery platforms during periods of regional uncertainty.
Talabat said its marketplace includes thousands of locally produced items sourced from UAE suppliers.
“Across our Local Shops marketplace, we feature more than 4,000 Made in the UAE SKUs, and over 2,000 local products through talabat Mart,” Youssef said.
To help maintain price stability, the company has also introduced a price-locking initiative.
“At talabat Mart, we introduced a Locked Prices initiative covering more than 300 essential SKUs, where prices are reviewed and locked on a weekly basis,” she said.
The company said it has increased procurement planning to reduce the risk of price volatility.
“This represents a significant investment on our side, particularly in fresh produce and fruits and vegetables, where we proactively secure stock in advance,” Youssef said.
Riders as essential workers
Despite the technology underpinning the sector, delivery platforms say the resilience of their operations ultimately depends on riders working across cities.
“In moments like these, we’re reminded that riders are often the ones keeping communities connected to essential services,” Youssef said.
Customers can support riders through tipping features in the app.
“Customers who wish to show appreciation can do so through tips in the app, with 100% of tips going directly to riders,” she said.
Talabat recently introduced a program to match customer tips in several markets, effectively doubling rider earnings during the period.“At the end of the day, our focus remains on supporting communities responsibly while always prioritising the safety and wellbeing of the riders who keep these services running,” Youssef said.
