1. Introduction and Scope
The Ethiopian Community Dubai & Northern Emirates (referred to as “the Community,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a non-for-profit organization dedicated to providing essential assistance, support, and development programs to Ethiopian people residing in the UAE.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect the personal and sensitive information of our members, beneficiaries, volunteers, and website visitors. We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of your personal information, especially given the sensitive nature of the services we provide.
2. Information We Collect
We only collect information necessary to fulfill our mission and provide the services you request. This information falls into two categories:
A. Information You Provide Directly (Sensitive Data)
This is typically collected during counseling sessions, registration for programs, or requests for urgent assistance:
- Identity Data: Name, contact details (phone, email, address in UAE), date of birth, gender, and nationality.
- Welfare and Assistance Data: Details concerning your specific need, including employment status, financial need, health problems, documentation issues (passport/visa), and status as a critical patient or inmate.
- Official Documentation: Copies of or information regarding passports, visas, lesse passé requests, attestation documents, and other official certificates.
- Family/Contact Data: Names and contact information for family members in the UAE or Ethiopia, necessary for notifying next-of-kin or repatriation efforts.
- Program Data: Information related to participation in training, education, and extracurricular activities.
B. Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, standard information such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited is collected via cookies and analytics tools to help us improve the site.
3. How We Use Your Information (Purpose of Processing)
We use your personal information exclusively for the purposes for which it was collected:
- To Provide Counseling and Support: To assess your needs and deliver services related to visa, passport, health, employment, and repatriation requests.
- Case Management and Coordination: To coordinate with the Ethiopian Consulate General for securing travel documents, attestation, and other official services as requested by you.
- Welfare Services: To facilitate care for hospitalized patients, assist inmates, and contact family members for critical cases.
- Program Delivery: To enroll you in and manage your participation in training, education, and social club activities.
- Internal Operations: For reporting, quality assurance, and improving our supportive programs and services.
- Communication: To send updates about your case, important community announcements, or program information (if consented).
4. Disclosure and Sharing of Your Information
Due to the nature of our work, sharing certain information is necessary to provide assistance. We only share data on a need-to-know basis and under strict confidentiality agreements:
- Ethiopian Consulate General: We share necessary documentation (e.g., for lesse passé or attestation) to process requests on your behalf.
- Professionals and Voluntary Members: Your case details may be shared with the employed professionals, counselors, and voluntary members who directly manage day-to-day affairs, raise funds, or visit patients/inmates. All personnel are bound by confidentiality.
- Government/Legal Authorities: If required by UAE law, court order, or when necessary to protect the safety of a community member or the public (e.g., coordination with hospitals or jails).
- Third-Party Service Providers: We may use secure providers for IT hosting, payment processing (for donations), or communication services. They are only authorized to use the data to perform services on our behalf.
We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
5. Data Security and Confidentiality
We recognize the importance of the sensitive information entrusted to us.
- The Community employs professionals to manage data securely.
- We implement appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
- Access to sensitive case files is restricted to authorized personnel who require it to perform their duties.
6. Your Rights
You have the right to request:
- Access: A copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: The rectification of any inaccurate or incomplete data we have.
- Deletion: The removal of your personal information from our records, subject to legal and operational requirements (e.g., we may need to retain records related to official documents processed on your behalf).
7. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights regarding your personal data, please contact us:
- info@dubaiethiopiancommunity.com
- Al Qusais 2, Street 11, Villa #30 Dubai