The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) is ready to mobilise volunteers to help in the clean-up of the oil slick. Habiba Marashi, chairman of EEG, told Gulf News of the back-up plan should the government give the green signal for volunteers to augment the efforts of municipality workers who are handling the clean-up on the shores of Dubai.

"We are not leaving this matter on the shoulders of the government alone. The EEG is ready to mobilise all its members and is ready to call on all concerned members of this society to speed up the cleaning of our shores," Habiba added.

The EEG has among its members about 500 individuals, 183 schools and 60 corporations or companies. A minimal percentage of the group will be a big help in augmenting the 100 municipal workers already working 24 hours on the shores of Dubai.

N. Shaw, who frequents the beach, said she is willing to volunteer her one-day weekend and help in the clean-up. "I love the beaches in the UAE and it saddens me to see this oil slick washed ashore. I will volunteer and hope it can make a difference."

Even as the government is showing that everything is under control, Habiba is quick to say: "More hands are going to be needed to ensure that the clean-up does not take as long as a month and, in the process, prevent more damage to our environment."

As soon as the government gives the green signal, EEG will start to call on all its members and other volunteers through radio, newspaper and television campaigns.