JEDDAH: Othman Abdu Hashim, director of King Abdullah Center for the Care of Disabled Children, has said that the volunteer service following the Nov. 25 Jeddah flash floods was not up to the mark because it was carried out in a disorganized manner.
Hashim proposed the setting up of a national committee to organize and coordinate volunteer activities across the country.
“All charitable organizations should provide their services under this committee,” he said.
He said such volunteer and relief activities required a great amount of organization to supervise and coordinate in order to make the efforts more effective.
“We should also set up working teams for emergencies, crises and catastrophes in order for us to be ready to confront any eventualities,” he added. He said he had expected a better role from Jeddah businessmen in dealing with the crisis. “I observed a lack of initiative from the side of businessmen. They might have thought that the government would do everything in such situations,” he said.
He commended the services of young Saudi men and women during the Jeddah floods.
“They gave an impression that Jeddah is bountiful and its people will remain different,” he said. “I am really proud of these youths, who uphold our culture and identity.”
