The Director General of Civil Defense, Lieutenant General/ Saad Abdullah Al-Tuwaijri has met a delegation from the International Consultant Group for Search and Rescue, which is a consultative Group to coordinate the work of search and rescue under the United Nations. This visit is to make the initial assessment of the process of the International Classification of the Saudi Search & Rescue team.
The visit that will last for 3 days and will include field trips to witness the equipment of the rescue team and view training scenarios on the work of search and rescue. Al-Tuwaijri assured upon the meeting with the delegation, the keenness of the Saudi government to activate international cooperation during disasters, and to provide relief and human aid to the affected countries.
Al-Tuwaijri pointed that the Saudi Search & Rescue Team has been formed by a Decree from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah in order to support the efforts of the international community in situations of disasters and catastrophes.
He also mentioned that based on the directions of HRH Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, The Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Interior, a large number of courses and training programs have been implemented for members of the Saudi Rescue Team including officers and privates to prepare them for their duties inside and outside the Kingdom, as well as providing the necessary vehicles and equipment, which are complied with international standards.
Lieutenant Colonel/ Mohammad Al-Ansari, Head of the International Consultant Group delegation commended the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in providing relief aid and humanitarian assistance to countries affected by disasters, expressing his admiration for the flexibility of the Saudi civil defense plans and the accuracy of the organizational structure of the General Directorate of Civil Defense and its keenness to benefit from the international experiences and expertise.
Al-Ansari pointed during the visit, the keenness of the leadership of the civil defense for acquiring the classification and join the International Search and Rescue Team. He pointed out that there are 23 search & rescue teams around the world that have been classified in addition to 22 other team showed interest in obtaining the classification.
Al-Ansari stressed that Saudi civil defense experiences in managing large crowds during Hajj will increase the opportunities for the Saudi Search & Rescue team to obtain the classification.