The UAE committee tasked with assessing damage from floods held its first meeting to set priorities and plans to evaluate the condition of infrastructure, roads, and dams after the unprecedented weather event. The Committee was formed by the UAE Cabinet and is headed by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
The meeting, which took place in Dubai, was presided over by Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and attended by members of the Committee from various federal and local entities. The Minister outlined the tasks of the Committee, which include assessing the damages and proposing solutions to address them. To streamline the process, four technical committees were formed, each focusing on different aspects such as roads and infrastructure, houses and properties, dams and water facilities, and energy and water.
During the meeting, the Minister commended the swift response of field teams from various concerned entities who worked tirelessly to protect people’s lives and properties and expedite the recovery process. Thanks to their efforts, service facilities like roads, bridges, and dams were back in operation in record time.
In alignment with the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Al Mazrouei directed the committees to immediately start assessing damages from the intense rainfall across the country. He urged them to prepare an integrated operational plan to repair all damages to infrastructure, roads, houses, and dams within a week.
The Minister emphasized the importance of preparing for future extreme weather events by expanding dams and waterways to ensure they can contain such events. He stated, “Our goal is to ensure the fast recovery of the infrastructure and to develop practical solutions that enhance the resilience of our infrastructure in the face of weather instability and emergencies.”
Furthermore, the Ministry, in coordination with various entities, has begun assessing the damages to citizens’ homes and providing aid and logistic support to those affected. This proactive approach aims to facilitate a quick recovery and alleviate the suffering of affected citizens.
The UAE government’s swift response and proactive measures demonstrate their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of their citizens in the face of natural disasters. By prioritizing the assessment and repair of damages caused by the recent floods, the government is taking concrete steps to enhance the resilience of the country’s infrastructure and better prepare for future challenges.