Protection of life is a shared responsibility, say speakers at symposium

Muscat: At the conclusion of its proceedings, the symposium titled “Al-Masarrat Weather Depression Symposium: Response and Impact,” organised by the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, affirmed that the protection of life is a shared responsibility founded on individual awareness that rejects recklessness.

It is also a societal commitment to the directives of competent authorities, and supported by a deterrent legal framework that holds negligence and complacency accountable.

The opening ceremony of the symposium was held under the patronage of Dr. Abdullah Nasser Al Harrasi, Minister of Information, in the presence of Maj. Gen Sulaiman Ali Al Husaini, Chairman of the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority.

The symposium reviewed national response efforts during the exceptional weather event “Al-Masarrat low-pressure system,” emphasising the importance of enhancing community awareness regarding the dangers of venturing into wadi channels and hazardous locations, thereby contributing to the reduction of losses and the protection of life and property.

The symposium encompassed several key themes, most notably a review of the meteorological conditions of Al-Masarrat low-pressure system, an analysis of its impact across various governorates, and the national response efforts implemented by relevant authorities, in addition to discussing mechanisms for developing preparedness and strengthening institutional coordination in dealing with similar events.

The symposium focused on field experiences, the challenges faced by response teams, and the solutions implemented, with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of future responses to emergency weather events and strengthening community awareness regarding the importance of adhering to directives issued by competent authorities.

Furthermore, the symposium introduced relevant legal provisions and procedures, highlighting the role of compliance therewith in reinforcing response efforts, thereby contributing to risk mitigation and the protection of life and property.

The symposium also explored the religious dimension of preserving life as one of the great objectives of Islamic law (Sharia), emphasising the necessity of undertaking due diligence and adhering to preventive guidelines that safeguard oneself and others, in accordance with religious teachings that urge the protection of human life and the avoidance of perilous situations.