Even with flight delays, missile alerts, and the sound of interceptions overhead, third-party delivery apps like Careem have mostly kept running through the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region. Deliveries are slower, some areas are paused, and routes change, but the apps have not shut down their services.

Many delivery platforms went down briefly in the UAE on Saturday, immediately after the first attacks, but quickly came back online. Companies say they are making sure people can still get essentials and that life feels as normal as possible.

In a statement shared with WIRED Middle East, Careem said that it is “assessing the safety of our operations area by area and in real time,” providing immediate safety updates and guidance with drivers (who the company calls captains) over WhatsApp groups and SMS.

“We have reinforced to all our partners that Captains are not required to be online if they have concerns about doing so,” the statement continued.

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has recommended remote working for the private sector from March 1 to 3, except for essential work requiring physical presence.

An Uber spokesperson confirmed that the company’s ride-hailing services are fully operational in the region.“The safety and wellbeing of our riders and partner drivers is our core priority; we are monitoring the situation in real-time and will continue to operate in strict alignment with all local government recommendations,” a statement sent to WIRED Middle East read. Every delivery platform that provided a statement echoed this sentiment.

Deliveroo explained that it operates “in line with official government guidance and based on continuous safety assessments.”

The decision to keep services running has sparked debate online.

Drivers at Risk

Critics point out that delivery riders are being put at risk. Even if most missiles are stopped using missile interception systems, these interceptions can still mean falling debris or road hazards. The Ministry of Defense has reported 3 deaths and 58 injuries in the UAE since attacks began on February 28.

Others say that not ordering means that drivers spend more time outside, in danger, to meet their daily quotas. One driver for popular delivery platform Deliveroo explained that he works for a third-party logistics agency which provides drivers to Deliveroo. He spoke on condition of anonymity.

If he refuses to work, he says the agency fines him. This also applies if he doesn’t meet his daily quota for deliveries. Drivers for most delivery platforms receive a basic salary and a fee for each delivery completed, providing an incentive to deliver as many meals as possible.

Deliveroo driver photographed in 2023.

Photograph: Andrew Aitchison/Getty Images

Uber’s delivery service, which is not operational in the region but reflects common payment schemes, pays for every pickup and drop-off as well as a per-mile rate, along with any tips given by customers. In some cities, drivers also get a per-minute rate. This means that refusing to take an order has a direct impact on earnings.

The driver for Deliveroo added that he has not received any safety guidelines or advice from the company with regards to ongoing missile and drone strikes.

A Deliveroo spokesperson said in a written statement that the company is "in regular communication with our riders and have reminded them to follow official guidance and prioritise their safety at all times, including logging out of the app if they feel unsafe to continue driving. For extra support, any loss in earnings during the suspension of operations has been and will continue to be compensated.”

Essential Work

Delivery apps also bring groceries, medicine and other supplies to people staying inside. Careem noted a surge in demand for pantry staples including water, rice, pasta, and fresh produce.

According to the UN’s International Labour Organization (ILO), delivery drivers are essential workers, playing a crucial role in ensuring that residents have access to food, medicine, and daily necessities, especially during times of crisis.

This shift happened during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, as social distancing and quarantines made ecommerce indispensable, and transport drivers were deemed essential workers. During the pandemic, countries created lists of services that were needed so it could continue operating.

“Most countries included activities safeguarding access to food, water, electricity, sanitation and healthcare, and ensuring public order,” the ILO wrote. “The provision of such goods and services, however, implied that other activities came into the fold given their involvement in such provision.” That includes drivers for delivery apps.

While the term “essential worker” was popularized during the 2020 pandemic, the concept has existed for centuries: As the plague spread through Europe, certain jobs, like digging graves, were considered essential. During the Spanish Flu, rice farming was prioritized to avoid famine.

In modern society, “essential” takes on a new meaning. Keeping these services running is part of what helps maintain normalcy and avoid panic buying or empty shelves—though it comes with risks borne mostly by migrant workers.

Additional reporting by Dana Alomar.

UPDATED 5 March to include a statement provided by Deliveroo.

This story originally appeared in WIRED Middle East.