UAE to mark International Day for Disaster Reduction

 The United Arab Emirates is participating in the International Day for Disaster Reduction, which falls on 13th October each year, under the slogan "Home Safe Home"

The aim of the event is to strengthen the global culture of disaster prevention and to deal with the situation and its consequences efficiently.

In his statement to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, Dr. Jamal Mohamed Alhosani, Director-General of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, NCEMA, said, "The UAE is participating in the development of an international strategy for risk reduction and methods to limit its impact, as well as for reduction in mortality across the world through the formation of the Supreme Council for National Security, which NCEMA works under it, to develop policies and plans to minimise and deal with the risks."

He pointed to the several initiatives adopted by the authority to raise the awareness of the Emirati community, as well as the public and private institutions to deal with disasters, whether natural or unnatural, in the correct manner.

He referred to the role of the current and future body within the UAE and its role within the global community to ease the aftereffects of disasters, through contribution and co-operation with the neighbouring region, and to put in place strategies for relief efforts during natural disasters and crises.

Saif Sultan Mubarak Al Aryani, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security, Chairman of NCEMA Board of Directors, said, "The UAE is a leading role model in its preparation and readiness to successfully deal with emergencies."

He remarked that the country is taking a leading position at the regional and global levels to build an integrated national emergency and crisis system, which represent a common vision for the realisation of the country's objectives, in line with the objectives of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk , endorsed by the UN General Assembly. UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction "The UAE is making tremendous efforts to reduce the impact of the disasters and humanitarian crises in many regions across the world, which have claimed the lives of thousands of people and increased the vulnerability of those areas. The country has been present in these areas to provide relief and support to the affected. The country’s relief programmes in the region have been characterised by high quality and quick response time in reaching the affected," Al Aryani added.

In 2007, the establishment of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, was announced within the organisational structure of the Supreme National Security Council to ensure the safety of the citizens and residents of the country, as well as to preserve the gains and property.

The authority will coordinate the roles of the agencies in the country at the time of emergencies, crises or disasters, and participate in the preparation and coordination of the contingency plans for vital public buildings, prepare the infrastructure and follow up on its execution in coordination with the specialised authorities.

The authority will prepare the necessary scientific studies through the establishment of an information centre for crises and disasters to help forecast these occurrences and conduct research on how to deal with these crises. It is also responsible for preparing and coordinating emergency drills for natural disasters and emergencies, in coordination with the specialised authorities.