Volunteering

Introduction:

Volunteering is a noble free-of-charge humanitarian activity that is not restricted to place, time or kind. Everybody is at option to volunteer regardless at which organization.
Volunteering stems from the Islamic teachings that urge good deeds as conducive to forgiveness by Al-Might Allah. The holy Aaya "verse" #2 in Surat "chapter"Al-Ma'edah "Meal" that reads, "But help ye one another unto righteousness and pious duty. Help not one another unto sin and transgression, but keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is severe in punishment" and the Holy Hadeaths "sayings" of our apostle Mohammed PBUH do confirm that concept.
Based on above, and pursuant to the Civil Defense code issued by Royal Decree no. M/10, dated 10/05/1406H, the regulations for voluntary work in Civil Defense has been enacted aiming at regulating volunteering and utilizing those who are ready to serve with the Civil defense after training.

Beginnings of Volunteering in Civil Defence:

1. The first call for volunteering by Civil Defense was in 1387H. All citizens were called on then to join civil defense for volunteering during the 6-day war, when some Arab countries were attacked. Citizens responded to the call in high spirit; they received the first training course at the Police School in Makkah during 1-20/03/1387H. One group of the volunteers were briefed on fire fighting, some rescue operations and some simple lessons on first aid; trainees were awarded encouragement certificates. Thus, volunteering in Saudi Arabia has been founded.
2. The first structure for the managing and training of volunteers was founded on 01/05/1406H.
3. The civil defense's code issued by Royal decree # M/10 dated 10/05/1406H, stipulated in paragraph (B) article (1) that one of civil defense functions is to train volunteers to carry out civil defense activities. Paragraph (C) article (3) confirmed volunteers should carry out said activities in paragraph (B) article (1). Paragraph (D) article (9) specified the Civil defense Council as the body that enacts and regulates volunteers' activities; specifies terms, rights and duties; article (18) nictitated everybody should provide possible help at emergency times whether a volunteer or not, for civil defense.
4. A number of administrative regulations were issued to manage volunteers the most important of which was the establishment of the Volunteers Affairs Administration in 1704H.
5. The idea to utilize volunteers to serve Hajj was introduced first in 1407H. Civil Defense branches kingdom wide admitted volunteers on annual plan bases; and volunteers serve Hajj since then.
6. Civil defense general directors discussed the preparation of a unified volunteer system for all GCC countries. Based on their recommendation, their Highness the GCC ministers of interiors designated at the seventh meeting convened in Riyadh, on Monday 7 November 1988, the General Directorate of Civil Defense, Saudi Arabia to arrange such a system. The General Directorate enacted the draft including volunteer's tasks, rights and duties and submitted the draft for remarks. GCC Interior Ministers approved the system on 21/11/1993 for three years.
7. Pursuant to Royal directives regarding confrontation of emergencies by relevant government bodies, a recommendation to utilize volunteers in civil defense was approved basing on specific measures.
8. A civil service council's resolution was issued approving involvement of Saudi employees in civil defense voluntary activities. The Saudi employee has been allowed to leave his work and go abroad for voluntary relief activities with complete salary granted.
9. An administrative resolution was issued approving the volunteer affairs Administration hierarchy.

Voluntary Activities in Practice:

1. Volunteers participated positively during the second gulf crises in response to the call made by HM the Custodian of the tow holy mosque in 1411H. They were trained and utilized to fill the gap resultant from departure of expatriates because of the war. A big number of bus drivers were utilized for evacuation operations at Al-Khafji city. A royal decree was issued honoring volunteers; and those in service during 1411 have been awarded a medal Al-Ameen "the Honest."
2. A general plan was developed concerning volunteers and how they can be utilized in civil defense everyday activities i.e. daily incidents; and in emergency, catastrophes and wars. 
3. HRH Minister of Interior, Head of Civil Defense Council approved the Civil defense volunteer regulations in accordance with the Civil Defense code.
4. The manual for regulation of voluntary groups at private sector was approved and distributed at all ministries and relevant bodies.
5. A number of civil defense officers were sent abroad with the Saudi Red Crescent Society for relief operation at counties affected.
6. Coordination with international civil defense voluntary societies; and sending of civil defense officers abroad to exchange experience with countries where voluntary works gone more advanced.
7. Develop an annual plan to utilize volunteers in hajj season.
8. A volunteer registration form was designed in addition to the ID cards.
9. Prepare of lectures for the qualifying and activating training courses that are given for volunteers.
10. Develop and update volunteer database.
11. Explain the role of volunteers at the website of Civil Defense.
12. Rules and regulations have been enacted to utilize technical institutes graduates volunteers at emergency.
13. Regulated participation of the National Institute for Health Training students as paramedics volunteers with the civil defense since 1422H.
14. Develop training courses for volunteers (qualifying, activating and intensive at times of war and disaster).

Regulations and Instructions for Volunteering:

1. The Civil Defense regulations.
2. Regulations for volunteering in civil defense in Saudi Arabia.
3. The plan to utilize volunteers in civil defense everyday activities i.e. daily incidents; and in emergency, catastrophes and wars. 
4. The manual for regulation of voluntary groups at private sector.
5. The unified GCC volunteer regulations.
6. Rules and regulations for utilizing technical institutes graduates volunteers at emergency.

Saudi Regulations for Volunteering in Civil Defence:

The need was pressing to enact rules to regulate volunteering in order to define tasks, duties, rights and admission as stipulated by Royal Decree # 10/m dated 10/05/1406H. The Regulations for volunteering in civil defense was issued by ministerial resolution # 12/2/f/1/df, dated 15/01/1422H, by HRH Minister of Interior, Head of Civil Defense Council, including the following:

• Terms of admission.
• Classification of volunteers (specialized / general)
• Fields of volunteering.
• Training of volunteers.
• Obligations, rights and benefits; and
• Others.

Saudi Draft Volunteering Regulations:

Pursuant to a Royal directive, a high-level commission, headed by the secretariat of the civil defense, was constructed at the Ministry of Interior including representative from some relevant government bodies, to found a comprehensive system, which government bodies and private sector can apply to use volunteers according to their needs. The commission prepared the draft after studying and taking from different relevant experiences; and it will be passed soon for approval.

Tomorrow Vision:

1. Activate and put in action aforementioned regulations; now at its final phases.
2. Prepare for media campaigns to educate the public on volunteering concept.
3. Specify a day every year to remind the public at the government bodies, education institutions and private sector on volunteering and its value and significance.
4. Open the door year round to allow volunteers participate in civil defense activities.
5. Develop an electronic registration program to allow registration through the civil defense website.
6. Prepare and specify training centers for continuous year round training courses.