RIYADH – Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, has approved the Civil Defense plan to deal with emergencies during the holy month of Ramadan in Makkah and Madinah, SPA said Sunday. Disclosing this Lt. Gen. Sulaiman Abdullah Al-Amr, director general of Civil Defense, said the three-phase plan starts with a comprehensive survey of the places of accommodation of Umrah pilgrims and visitors and ensure that they meet safety conditions. The second stage of the plan aims at the highest level of efficiency and speedy intervention in emergency cases by monitoring places frequented by Umrah pilgrims around the clock. The third stage focuses on intensifying awareness and guidance programs for Umrah pilgrims, visitors and those serving them on safety measures in emergencies. Meanwhile, Dr. Mustafa Baljoun, director general of health affairs in Makkah region, has approved the integrated and comprehensive Umrah plan to provide healthcare to pilgrims and visitors. Dr. Muwaffaq Muhammad Abu Talib, director of the Haj and Umrah Administration, said the directorate of health affairs has completed its preparations to provide complete curative and preventive healthcare to Umrah pilgrims. He said two health centers in the Grand Mosque and 36 permanent health centers in Makkah will be in operation. Sixteen of these centers will work for 12 hours from the morning until midnight.
