after the disaster caused by the rains in 2018, the council of ministers decided to form a committee to deal with such crises or rather what we call the calamities by putting in place a system to reduce the extent of risks, and to confront any crises or disasters and damages resulting from thereof through rapid coordination, cooperation and implementation of plans drawn up this so-called committee. this is stupendous and needs to be looked at in detail.
the council of ministers had said at that time that crisis management will not wait for a crisis to happen and limiting the effects of any crisis when it occurs, cutting down the reaction time to zero using the ‘sixth sense’. in other words, meaning to be on standby to face any eventuality.
however, the committee to be successful the basic need is the efficiency of the human factor and the formation of a distinct base comprising volunteers who can be dispatched in times of emergency, crises, and disasters to support government efforts to protect and support lives and public property and using the latest equipment and tools by keeping abreast with the global developments to contain the natural calamities and man-made crises while at the same time emphasizing the importance of the availability of information. such words are music to the ear.
this news was supplemented by the cabinet determining the names of the committee members, among whom — those who deserve all respect from us — who provided them with special passports and rewarded considerably.
the cabinet also made sure that the committee includes representatives from the concerned ministries and government departments, representatives from each governorate and some related institutions and this is what the cabinet had said.
however, after more than a year, the committee has done too little, too late except in july 2 0 1 9, w h e n the then p r i m e minister’s son paid a visit to the uk to familiarize himself with the latest technology used in crisis management and planning for an effective response in times of emergencies, exchange of information and get first-hand information about how the world handles such situations.
the delegation included the undersecretary for security, economic and petition affairs at the prime minister’s office, the chief of the general staff, the undersecretary of the ministry of interior, the national guard undersecretary, and the director-general of kuwait fire services directorate. the issues discussed with the british side included security and military affairs and others. it is worth mentioning here that the tour included a visit to scotland and other countries.
the delegation also visited the security and intelligence committee and met with the secretary of the emergency committee specialized in research trouble-shooting. the delegation was briefed on the preventive measures and rapid intervention techniques; how to handle certain situations to minimize human and property losses in the quickest possible time.
at the briefing given by the college of emergency planning, the delegation learned about its role in emergency and crisis management, business continuity and electronic management and training and consultancy.
the center includes experts in crises and disasters and they work closely with different organizations, and provide services to the public and private sectors in the united kingdom and over the world.
this is what we heard that the so-called committee was supposed to do or the purpose of forming the committee.
what we see at the moment is the entire nation involved in a crisis the size of a disaster which is the second biggest after the invasion of the country, yet no one has heard anything of the crisis management committee or what work it does. perhaps the reason being, what is happening now does not fall within its area of work, or that it has yet to play its role.
we look forward to an explanation or justification from one of its members — who we love and respect — for this great absence. this does not mean i object to the method the government is currently handling this crisis. i can call it the best in terms of our ability.