Building community abroad: Nurana Huseynova honored for her volunteer leadership

A huge congratulations to Nurana Huseynova (Project Manager - Engineering) who earlier this year was awarded a prestigious Service in Diaspora Award for her remarkable volunteer work supporting the Azerbaijani community in the UAE. As UAE Coordinator for the Coordination Council of Azerbaijanis Living in Arab Countries, Nurana has worked exceptionally hard to bring Azerbaijani people together and provide expats with vital support during times of need - reflecting the spirit of connection and belonging that sits at the heart of our KBR values.

Creating a community

So, where did it all begin? When Nurana first moved to the UAE in 2019, she noticed there was no centralised Azerbaijani community that she could become part of. Determined to change that, she began organising informal gatherings to help Azerbaijani people connect with one another and soon, what started as small meetups soon grew into a huge, structured network across the entire UAE. "When we first started out, we had no idea how big it would get," Nurana explained, "but we started building the community via WhatsApp and Facebook groups, and that allowed us to reach people from all over the country."

Today, the community boasts over 420 registered members across the UAE, with active participation from residents in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and beyond. "It's a real pleasure being able to reach so many people," Nurana said, "it goes to show how needed the community really is!"

Making a difference through volunteering

Through Nurana's leadership, the Azerbaijani community in the UAE has driven a wide range of initiatives, all on a voluntary basis. This includes hosting cultural celebrations with traditional Azerbaijani food, music, and decorations, as well as leading sustainability efforts such as park clean-ups in recognition of COP and planting one hundred trees in a public park in Abu Dhabi.

Perhaps most notably, Nurana has helped to organise and lead humanitarian support for those in critical situations. Her extraordinary efforts so far have included providing practical help for individuals without a home, securing legal and financial support, and helping people find shelter. Her efforts have also extended to mobilising aid during the Turkey earthquake which occurred in February 2023 - even sorting and distributing donations from her own apartment.

Recognition for outstanding contribution

Given her hard work and dedication, it's no surprise that Nurana has been formally recognised for her efforts with the Service in Diaspora Award, which she received in May 2025 as part of a formal meeting between Fuad Muradov, Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, and the Azerbaijani community residing in Arab countries in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

"It was an honour to receive the award," Nurana said. "It means so much to know that the work we've done to support and unite our community is being recognised at such a high level."

The meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Nurana received her Service in Diaspora Award. (2025)

In addition to her most recent award, Nurana has long since been formally recognised for her commitment to building the Azerbaijani community in the UAE. As early as 2021, Nurana was first invited to a historic event in Shusha, where she met the Azerbaijani President and other officials to discuss issues affecting Azerbaijanis abroad. "It was a great experience to be invited to such an event," she said, "and it was invigorating to see that there's such a focus on building these sorts of communities worldwide."

Following this, Nurana received a medal during International Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis for her volunteer work and was also invited to serve as a voting committee member for the Azerbaijani Embassy in the UAE, earning formal appreciation.

Looking ahead

Nurana plans to continue strengthening the community through cultural and social events, such as ladies' breakfasts and football groups. "For me, this is just the beginning," she shared. "Building a strong, supportive community abroad is about creating a sense of home wherever we are, and I'm committed to continuing that journey."