JEDDAH: King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has approved proposals from Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, to deal with emergencies in the region, including natural disasters like flash floods. Informed sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the King has ordered the minister of finance to secure the full financial allocations that would guarantee the urgent execution of the recommendations. In addition, the King asked the Makkah emirate to inform him if any authorities do not comply with the recommendations. The proposals referred to the King by Prince Khaled calls for security and services authorities to prepare their own emergency plans, to coordinate all activities and measures, conduct drills on the ground, to continually update these plans and to specify the tasks of each authority. Also, a center for crisis and disaster management will be established urgently. This center will be under the supervision of the Makkah emirate, sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. The proposals approved by the King include supporting the Civil Defense and Traffic Department with all the necessary trained staff, machinery and sophisticated modern technology used in advanced countries to deal with all kinds of disasters. The King's approval also includes the restructuring of Jeddah Mayoralty and supporting it with qualified administrative staff and suitable high-tech facilities.
