World Civil Defence Day

World Civil Defence Day in brief
First: Approval of the Day:

The ninth General Assembly of the International Organisation of Civil Protection approved the first day of March of each year a commemorative World Day of Civil Protection (Civil Defence) on December 18, 1990, at the International Conference Center in Geneva.

Second: Why the first day of March?

The day corresponds to the date when the Basic Law of the Organisation was put into effect, which was on 1 March 1972.

Third: Objectives of the day:

1. To recall the significance of the fight against disasters of all kinds.
2. To recall the essential role played by the agencies and departments of civil protection in the world.
3. To notify civil protection agencies in various countries, worldwide, about the importance of coherence and unity in the performance of their mission.
4. To make use of different media to deliver the directives and instructions on safety and protection to all citizens.
5. To remind all states of their duty towards the effective support of the functions and duties of the organisation. This includes the dissemination, promotion and development of civil protection against risks at the global level.
6. To arrange symposia and lectures to educate the public on duties and obligations of civil protection.
7. To distribute leaflets and posters to increase awareness of citizens and residents in co-ordination with institutions, companies, schools and universities.

Slogans of the Day since the adoption by the IOCP

• March 1, 1991: "Civil Defence and the International Organization of Civil Protection"
• March 1, 1992: "the Role of Civil Defence services in the prevention of disasters"
• March 1, 1993: "Civil Defence in the service of the Environment"
• March 1, 1994: "Civil Defence & Security at Home"
• March 1, 1995: "the Civil Defence protects Life, Property and Environment"
• March 1, 1996: "Risk analysis for better disaster prevention is an essential role of Civil Defence"
• March 1, 1997: "the Role of Civil Defence services in international humanitarian law"
• March 1, 1998: "Civil Defence is a Right, Obligation for all"
• March 1, 1999: "Civil defense must become part of programs in the school"
• March 1, 2000: "Civil Defence: a Tool for the Development Tasks"
• March 1, 2001: "Voluntary Service & Civil Defence"
• March 1, 2002: "the Basic Elements of Civil Defence"
• March 1, 2003: "Civil Defence a Tool of Solidarity in the face of Disasters"
• March 1, 2004: "Civil Defence & Roads Safety"
• March 1, 2005: "Civil Defence & Environment Protection"
• March 1, 2006: "Civil Defence & School"
• March 1, 2007: "Civil Defence & Safety in the Workplace"

• March 1, 2008: "Civil Defence & Safety Procedures, Warning"

• March 1, 2009: "Civil Defence & Preventive Information"

• March 1, 2010: "Civil Defence & Disaster Medicine"

• March 1, 2011: "Civil Defence and Family Role"

• March 1, 2012: "Civil Defence and Safety at Home"

Events of World Civil Defence Day in Saudi Arabia:

Saudi Arabia, represented by the Directorate General of Civil Defence, celebrates alongside other member states of the International Organisation of Civil Protection, the World Civil Defence Day on 1 March each year, which this year is held under the slogan "Civil Defence and Safety at Home".

On this occasion, the Civil Defence is committed to present participations of government and private sectors to educate the public and deepen the concept of awareness among them, so that they can abide by the requirements of safety and prevention of risks.
 

It has been stated in Para (7) of the recommendations of the third Arab Conference for Civil Defence and Civil Protection general directors, which have been approved by the "Council of Arab Interior Ministers" in 1990/1991, that each state is at option to memorise the occasion in its way; a state can delay or advance celebrations if it conflicted with a religious or national occasion.

Thus, praises are to Allah, the celebrations of World Day of Civil Defence are performed all over Saudi Arabia including various activities and events.

Celebration Mechanisms:

Co-ordination with relevant government and private sector bodies to participate in the celebrations each in its respective field as follows:

1. Co-ordination with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments and its branches to urge mosque preachers to educate people in their speeches, on the risks they may face in their daily live, and the need to adhere to the principles and requirements of public safety according to a legal perspective.

2. Co-ordination with the secretariats of the cities, municipalities and governorates to contribute to the process of education and outreach through the use of illuminated signs in the streets, in collaboration with the companies that supervise these signboards.

3. Co-ordination with the Ministry of Education departments to allocate areas of activities in schools to raise awareness on safety issues like the specification of five to ten minutes to deliver some advice and guidance to students and urge them to submit expressions and paintings in the area of safety. Further, to activate the committees of Civil Defence's friends in schools, to carry out awareness raising campaigns and to make use of the radio to guide and clarify the functions of the civil defence for students.

4. Preparation of work programmes for schools and institutes to visit Civil Defence centres to disseminate the concepts of safety and awareness on dangers and how to avoid such dangers.

5. Organisation of awareness convoys to move Kingdom-wide in integration with government and private sector.

6. Participation in government events coming alongside the celebration of the World Civil Defence Day, to disseminate the principles and requirements for safety.

7. Co-ordination with the Electricity Company, Saudi Telecom and Water to disseminate awareness and guidance words on the monthly consumption bills.

8. Co-ordination with the General Presidency for Youth Welfare and its branches to utilise electronic billboards at stadiums and youth hostels to broadcast awareness.

9. Printing and distribution of brochures, manuals and publications to increase awareness to, deal with and how to, prevent potentially danger in the daily life of the public.

10. Awareness through various media (television, press, radio) through meetings and seminars, feature articles and broadcast several radio interviews with officials.

11. Concerts sponsored by provincial governors to shed lights on the importance of the celebration of this occasion, and the importance of sticking to safety requirements and concept, and to remind people of safety.

12. Exhibitions of Civil Defence's machinery and equipment to show efforts made by the government,  the custodian of the two holy Mosques, and H.R.H. the crown prince to achieve security and safety of the people, besides the distribution of awareness publications, establishment of cultural competitions and distribution of awards.

13. Document all activities and events that accompany the celebration, by television and photographs for future reference.

14. Give lectures by Civil Defence officers about the concept of Civil Defence, and the World Day to be introduced in a number of basic and higher-education institutions.

15. A number of symposia by university professors focused on the World Civil Defence Day.

16. Provide metal and cloth signboards bearing phrases indicative on the World Civil Defence Day at public squares.

17. Organise rallies and marches in large cities,  for Civil Defence's mechanisms and equipment.

18. Honour the national and governmental institutions participating in the celebration of the World Day by awarding them certificates and accreditation shields.

World Civil Defence Day 2008: "Civil Defence & Safety Procedures, Warning"

World Civil Defence Day 2009: "Civil Defence & Preventive Information"
World Civil Defence Day 2010: "Civil Defence & Disaster Medicine"
World Civil Defence Day 2011: "Civil Defence and Family Role"