JEDDAH, 31 December 2006 — A delegation from the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has described the shelter camp in Muzdalifah as a world-class emergency preparation zone.
The purpose behind establishing the camp in Muzdalifah is to provide complete and safe shelter to pilgrims during Haj and Umrah, especially in case of an emergency in accordance with the general plan of the fire department that is executed in times of emergency.
The camp, located nine kilometers from the Grand Mosque and four kilometers from Mina, is spread across 330,000 square kilometers with the buildings occupying 14,000 square kilometers. Tents at the camp occupy 50,000 square kilometers.
Inside the camp there are 32 male and female bathrooms. There is a mosque that can accommodate 600 men and 200 women worshipers, and also a central kitchen. The camp includes a landing area for helicopters.
