The Saudi Environment Society (SENS) launched its annual cleaning campaign on Thursday at the newly developed Jeddah Corniche to raise awareness about keeping the city and country clean.

This is the sixth time the event has been held.

The SENS program is being held under the supervision of Prince Turki Bin Nasser, Chairman of SENS and president of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME). Participants included environmental activists, municipal officials, and a number of schools, universities and clinics.

The theme of the campaign was about building a healthy lifestyle.

Doctors from Eed Clinic, Syria and Brazil were also present at the moment.

Those helping to clean up included children from local French and international schools.

Participants walked with banners proclaiming, “We are Jeddah”, “Cleaning is half of faith”, "We should keep our environment clean", “Green Flag, Green country."

The participants distributed more than 3,000 green and orange cards to highlight the message of the awareness campaign.

Dr. Mohammed D. Eed, professor and plastic surgery consultant, and president of the Saudi Association of Plastic Surgery, said: “We are proud to be part of this awareness campaign.

Thousands of years ago humankind was trying to save itself from environment but now the environment is trying to save itself from humankind.”

He said Saudis and residents can only live healthy lives if they take care of the environment. “We need to teach our children to keep their cities and country clean to save the environment for our upcoming generation,” he added.

French School director Laurent Mallet said that the school is an avid supporter of the campaign. He said the school will bring its students during the week to help clean up the Corniche.

Philippe Colleu, another official from the French school, said: “Teaching something at a young age is very important because these habits remain for a person's whole life."

The SENS awareness program includes workshops, cleaning campaigns, advertising, conferences, and school awareness programs.

A dummy of Uncle Hakeem, a cartoon character, was specially developed by SENS to carry the message to children, said Tayba Mair, the organization's conference coordinator and trainer on environmental issues.

Dr. Majidah Abu Ras, the president of SENS and an environmental activist, said they are working to target as many people as possible.

“Our target is to teach the new generation about a safe environment, at least 70 percent of the population. We must take good care of our gardens, streets and surroundings,” said Abu Ras.

“We are looking forward to identify 1,000 ambassadors from society, to spread the message of SENS to the public." She added that an advertising campaign will be launched in the next 10 days.