ABU DHABI // Managing natural disasters and risks, and teaching residents how to respond to them, are among topics to be discussed at a national security conference next month.
The Crisis and Emergency Management Conference will gather local, regional and international experts to help build the UAE’s expertise in tackling these threats.
The head of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency and delegates from the United Nations will attend.
“Everyone has to be prepared and have awareness about how to deal with crisis and emergencies in the UAE,” said Dr Jamal Al Hosani, the spokesman for the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority.
The UAE authority is an umbrella organisation that ensures coordination between local and national response bodies.
“We have had our share of natural phenomena for the past few years and they pose a new threat to us, so we have to know how to deal with them and act when such warnings arise,” Dr Al Hosani said on Monday.
Preparedness and Response is Everyone’s Responsibility: Vigilant Community is the theme for the fourth conference, which is aimed at increasing readiness to face crisis and disaster.
“This could be achieved by reaping the benefits of previous international experiences and using available resources, technologies and processes,” Dr Al Hosani said.
“In this rapid change that the region and the world are witnessing, this conference was developed to come up with appropriate solutions.”
The event will include five sessions on preventive prediction, the role of the media in spreading awareness in times of crisis and disasters, society’s role as a first responder, meteorological phenomena and natural disasters, as well as risk management.
It will touch on industrial and nuclear risk management as well as the UN’s annual report on disaster risk reduction, with 20 experts from the GCC, Australia, the US, Italy, the UK and Japan.
“Undoubtedly, the readiness of society remains the main focus of everyone who is involved in these efforts,” said Dr Al Hosani.
"We all aim to reach the status of a vigilant community against all emergencies and crisis. Society is the main building block in any success story for any strategic plan."
He said strengthening the relationship between the public and relevant authorities was crucial.
“This will pave the way for a solid cooperation resulting in a successful collaboration for the implementation of plans and programmes,” Dr Al Hosani said.
“A public that is ready is one that is capable of absorbing the surprise factor of the dangers without major damages.”
Electronic security has also become an issue threatening the Government and society.
“Hacking attacks have been increasingly targeting personal and public privacy and have been more frequent than ever due to the rapid developments in technology,” said Dr Al Hosani.
“Cyber-crimes have become a real danger that should be taken very seriously.”
The authority has set pre-emptive strategies for three years to tackle rising security threats. The current procedures are in place until 2016.
“Whether natural or man-made, these issues related to crisis and emergency management should be dealt with at the highest levels of professionalism to ensure the utmost safety and security of people and national resources,” added Dr Al Hosani.
The authority also developed specific awareness campaigns for schools in Al Ain, the Western Region and across the UAE through social media.
“We need to learn best practices in emergency and crisis management to be ready,” said Nasser Al Yamahi, the authority’s director of media and public information.
“It is vital for us to work with organisations, locally and internationally, as we cannot work alone. We must all operate together.”
The authority’s annual report will be issued at the conference, which will run on February 25 and 26.
cmalek@thenational.ae