Monday will witness the kickoff of the main celebrations of the World Civil Defense Day, which will be held at Yas Hotel under the theme: “Civil Defense and the Preparation of Civil Associations for Disaster Prevention.”
In a press conference held at the Civil Defense General Headquarters, Colonel Dr. Jasim Muhammad Al Muthreb, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of the World Civil Defense Day celebrations, said that all preparations for the event have been completed. He further noted that a higher committee concerned with the celebrations was formed, and it held a series of meetings and workshops regarding the occasion. The committee formed specialized sub-groups to prepare for the scientific gathering to be held in conjunction with the celebrations with the participation of specialists that represent the Civil Defense General Headquarters, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Red Crescent Authority, and the UAE Search and Rescue Team.
He stressed the keenness of the civil defense to promote cooperation with civil associations and expand coordination and mutual work means with them, mentioning that a competition was held in January 2013 to design the logo for the UAE’s celebrations for this global day; Eng. Aisha Sulaiman Ahmed Jasim from Umm Al Quwain Civil Defense won the prize. He noted that the Civil Defense General Headquarters produced a documentary on the occasion, and the film will be displayed at the main celebration and the regional celebrations as well.
He said that the General Assembly of the Civil Protection International Organization has chosen the month of March to celebrate the anniversary of enforcing the organization’s charter as an inter-governmental organization. By choosing this day as a global day, the General Assembly of the organization aims to spread awareness among individuals and societies about the responsibilities of the national civil protection authorities (civil defense) to protect lives, properties, and the environment.
He noted that this year’s celebrations aims to promote the role of civil societies in spreading a preventive culture; encourage safety precautions by individuals and society; introduce the awareness and preventive role of the civil defense in different circumstances using several media outlets; hold lectures and organize meetings and seminars to stress the role of knowledge, sciences, and advanced technologies in developing the services of civil defense; issue publications as well as preventive and directive documentaries; organize visits to civil defense centers for civil associations in order to introduce them to the nature of civil defense services; strengthen the relationship between different sectors of society and the civil defense; and organize exhibitions and celebrations for this global day across all emirates.