Manama : Chief of Public Security, Chairman of the National Civil Emergency Management Committee, Lieutenant-General Tariq Al Hassan, delivered the following speech marking the Arab Day for Disaster Risk Reduction:
“Arab countries mark Arab Day for Disaster Risk Reduction under the theme ‘Resilient Arab Infrastructure Resistant to Disasters’ to focus on their efforts to limit disaster risks through sustainability and development. These play a crucial role in resisting major disasters, eliminating damages resulting from catastrophes, and protecting lives and property.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is dedicated to achieving sustainable development goals and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction through a government action plan that strives to ensure the sustainability of the infrastructure development, reinforce good security, tackle climate changes and protect the environment. The Economic Recovery Programme focuses on five primary dimensions: financial sustainability, economic stability, economic diversification, infrastructure, governance, and society, emphasising the importance of the participation of all sectors in society to achieve the desired goals and advance development.
The updated National Emergency Strategy shaped by Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid Al Khalifa, the Chairman of the Civil Defence Council, is the cornerstone to reinforce Bahrain’s capabilities in confronting disasters and emergencies through an advanced national system. The National Civil Emergency Management Committee implements the strategy to meet the visions and aspirations of prevention, preparation and building capabilities in facing accidents and emergencies, as well as recover from them through coordination with concerned authorities in the public and private sectors and civic societies, along with building response capabilities through training and equipping respond teams.
The National Civil Emergency Management Committee plays a prominent role in raising awareness among members of society about the risks of disasters and how to prevent and prepare for their adverse effects through the National Civil Protection Platform, establishing a smart national centre for emergency management, developing an early warning system for disasters and emergencies, and building a strategic reserve for emergencies, and for implementing volunteer programmes for civil defence and civil protection services in their comprehensive perspective.
The National Civil Emergency Management Committee works through a system in partnership with local, regional and international bodies, such as the United Nations Organisation for Disaster Risk Reduction, to develop a national and regional system concerned with reducing disaster risks at all stages by a national and regional plan that sets the necessary rules and principles. They include operation continuity plans, which work to strengthen relations of cooperation and coordination, exchange expertise and experiences among them, increase the adoption of preventive measures, and encourage constructive initiatives and programmes that contribute to enhancing capabilities to confront natural disasters and major accidents and reduce their effects, in addition to supporting efforts to shift towards investment in renewable energy, environmentally friendly buildings, clean transportation and organise events that reflect confronting various challenges and incidents efforts.”
