Interior Minister Prince Muhammad bin Naif, chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, has approved the general plan of Civil Defense to counter emergency situations during the upcoming Haj.

“The Civil Defense plan this year aims at taking all appropriate measures to protect pilgrims and other people, public and private properties in Makkah, Madinah and holy sites from any kind of calamity including accidents. The plan also will ensure the collaboration of other related government departments,” said Lt. Gen. Saad Al-Tuwaijeri, director general of Civil Defense on Friday.

He said 13 virtual situations were simulated in order to be fully ready to counter all likely emergency situations. The equipment for rescue in situations of fire, flood, drowning, leakage of hazardous substances and collapse of buildings are also ready for use.

The plan also call for reinforced awareness campaigns among the pilgrims on safe behavior at occasions when calamities befall in addition to the precautions the pilgrims should take to avoid dangerous situations. The campaigns will be launched in collaboration with the tawafa organizations and Haj missions. The campaign will also focus on persuading pilgrims follow all safety instructions at their housing and other places they go. They should also be enlightened on the need to leave any road free for Civil Defense workers to move about freely. The campaign will also appear on various forms of media, publications and new media and phones.