Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Sha’far, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Interior, opened the deliberations of the main celebration of the World Civil Defense Day this morning. The event is being held at Yas Hotel on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, under the theme: “Civil Defense and the Preparation of Civil Associations for Disaster Prevention.”
Major General Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior for Resources and Support Services; Major General Khamis Saif bin Suwaif Director General of Criminal Security at the Ministry of Interior; Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Director General of Central Operations in Abu Dhabi Police; Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, Civil Defense Acting General Commander-in-chief; Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, General Director of National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority; Brigadier Saleh Al Ayed, Head of Relations and Media in the Civil Defense General Directorate; Colonel Saad Al Dosari, Head of the office of the KSA Civil Defense Director General; director generals of the civil defense organizations across the country; Colonel Dr. Jasim Muhammad Al Muthreb, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of the celebrations; and a large number of officers from the Ministry of Interior were present at the ceremony.
In his statement for the occasion, Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Sha’far said: “The civil defense forces in the country are receiving great attention from the UAE higher leadership. Under the instructions of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Ministry of Interior is making significant efforts to improve the performance of the civil defense forces and it members, in order to maintain pace with the achievements across the country in developments, construction, and industrial fields. Our forces are working to remain highly prepared to take on responsibility with their best efforts.”
“The Civil Defense General Headquarters has witnessed great development in its human resources during the past few years. It has also benefitted from the latest devices and equipment. Civil defense employees across the country are making great and distinguished efforts to provide public safety protecting people, property, and national treasures,” he added.
He also pointed out that civil defense forces are trying to enhance partnerships with civil associations and various social institutions using different means. This includes the set-up of voluntary teams and training them on rescue missions in order for them to become an assisting arm to civil defense forces. The effort to enhance partnerships also aims to increase awareness among the public and support knowledge that would help them to take action when disaster strikes and be prepared for any situations.
Al Sha’far said: “In order for the civil defense forces to be effective, everyone, including institutions and individuals should cooperate and collaborate. This is what the Civil Defense General Headquarters is doing; we receive great acceptance by all social entities. The civil defense departments across the country are constantly organizing different awareness campaigns that target members of the public. These programs and plans truly reflect the theme of this year.”
Concluding his statement, Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Sha’far called upon the public to participate in supporting the efforts of the civil defense forces to maintain the safety of the homeland by benefitting from the educational civil defense programs, in order to avoid disasters and d