UAE foresees crisis, prepares for any emergency – News

Dr Gargash noted that while the initial phase of Covid-19 was challenging, the country has weathered the difficult period under a shrewd leadership

The UAE has a comprehensive mechanism to anticipate crises and be prepared to deal with risks, senior officials said at an event in the capital, which launched a study highlighting the country as a model for dealing with Covid-19.

Fahed Buti Al Muhairi, official spokesman for the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), noted that the UAE has created a “community” of people working around the clock to serve the country and protect its security.

“The country has solid infrastructure, legislation and laws and uses state-of-the-art technology to address all types of challenges and risks,” Al Muhairi said on the opening day of the 7th Crisis and Emergency Management Summit – Abu Dhabi 2023 express.

“We take this holistic approach, engaging all sectors with experts and thinkers to anticipate potential threats and develop mechanisms to mitigate, prevent and eliminate those risks.”

The two-day summit organized by NCEMA was held under the patronage of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser and Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

“We are keen to embrace and adopt state-of-the-art technology and come up with initiatives and diversification programs that can enhance our system in dealing with crises. Crises and emergencies over the past few years have taken a significant toll. Nonetheless, we have seen , cooperation in addressing this crisis has produced patterns and very positive experiences,” Al Muhairi added.

Crises such as Covid-19 and natural disasters such as the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have highlighted the importance of awareness, planning and coordination in response to such situations, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, UAE Presidential Adviser on Diplomacy, stressed.

“The most important lesson we have learned from the major crises the world has faced over the past few years is that countries with strong institutions and coordination are able to respond to these crises and avoid crises with risks and negative impacts from events.”

Dr. Gargash noted that institutional capacity, communication and collaboration, preparation and planning, tasking and efficiency are some of the factors that lead to a well-coordinated response in any emergency situation.

“We are very proud of the UAE for being very successful (in dealing with Covid-19). We have demonstrated through our institutions that we are ready and can face this unprecedented crisis.”

Dr Gargash noted that while the initial phase of Covid-19 was challenging, the UAE has weathered the difficult period under a shrewd leadership.

“The leadership in the UAE is very strategic. We have seen that many countries were confused in the early stages of the crisis and this confusion has had a negative impact on their recovery. Make the right decisions.”

Dr Gargash said the UAE leadership reassured community members and frontline workers with timely messages.

“These messages reassure everyone that the UAE has the expertise and capacity to overcome this challenge. This effective communication comes from the fact that the UAE President knows how to communicate in the best possible way,” he said, pointing to Expo 2020 Dubai successfully held.

Dr Gargash added that the UAE has handled the pandemic in an excellent manner, making major leaps in different areas, while other countries are still facing the impact of Covid-19.

During the event, a 104-page study was titled “Road to Success: The UAE as a Model for Responding to Covid-19”. Divided into eight chapters, the study covers the country’s healthcare system, economic measures during the pandemic, successful political strategies, social and humanitarian efforts, maintaining security, harnessing the power of technology, disseminating and managing media campaigns, and Lesson learned.

Meanwhile, Loretta Hieber Girardet, Chief of the Risk Knowledge, Monitoring and Capacity Development Branch of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction in Switzerland, emphasized the need for greater cooperation, commitment and political will to build a safer world.

“The good news is that there are men and women willing to step up and protect their communities when they are at risk from disasters,” she added.

The event brings together global leaders, academics and scientists specializing in emergency, crisis and disaster management from around the world to discuss current issues, mechanisms and the future of emergency and crisis mitigation.