More than 5,000 men and women from different parts the Kingdom showed up to volunteer in cleanup and relief activities.

“We had to spread out to multiple flood-affected districts, sometimes under stressful, and at times violent, conditions,” said Ahmed, a 22-year-old volunteer.

Abu Muhammad, a 55-year-old organizer of the volunteer effort, said he was pleased at the overall outpouring of support.

“Everyone was looking for something to do or someone to help,” he said. “However, I had to stop my volunteers from heading to one of the flooded neighborhoods when two of the boys in my group were assaulted by residents there on a previous mission.”

He pointed out that one of the boys was injured, not seriously, but that it raised concerns about inadequate security. The flooding affected both ritzy and low-income areas, including neighborhoods considered potentially dangerous to outsiders.

Volunteers said there was no shortage of helpers and food during their eight-day mission, but they said they could have used more medical personnel and equipment.

Omar, a 25-year-old volunteer, said compared to the Nov. 25, 2009, floods, there was less organization this time.  “There has to be a mechanism for organizing and sending aid groups with the right supplies and experts in a more efficient manner,” he said.

“We needed someone to screen foodstuff coming in to the center,” said another volunteer who didn't want his name published. “There were cases of expired canned food that should have never made it to the donation stacks.”

Roaa Hassan, a volunteer organizer, said while volunteerism is nothing new in Saudi Arabia there should be a better mobilization system.

“In 2010, the Shoura Council approved the procedure for regulating volunteer work in the Kingdom,” he said. “I hope it will be passed soon, so it benefits everyone.”