The Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS), in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), held a workshop on climate change preparedness on Wednesday. The event aimed to enhance the humanitarian response capabilities of KRCS members while promoting sustainable development in light of the increasing challenges posed by climate change.
Titled “International and Humanitarian Efforts in Climate Change Preparedness and Response,” the workshop focused on strengthening the skills necessary to address climate-related humanitarian issues. KRCS Director General Fawaz Al-Mazrouei emphasized that the initiative is part of the society’s ongoing efforts to build the capacity of its national workforce by incorporating international expertise and best practices. He highlighted the importance of continuous training and capacity building for effective disaster response aimed at supporting vulnerable communities, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The program included discussions on international humanitarian standards and principles, the roles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the UNDP in mitigating climate-related risks, as well as KRCS’s own preparedness and response measures. The workshop concluded with acknowledgments extended to participating organizations and lecturers.
In a related development, KRCS Chairman Khaled Al-Mughamis underscored the significance of enhancing collaboration with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Emergency Management Center to reinforce crisis management systems and emergency preparedness across GCC countries. Speaking after a meeting with a GCC Emergency Management Center delegation led by Brigadier (Legal) Dr. Rashid Al Marri, Al-Mughamis noted that the discussions reflected a mutual commitment to expanding cooperation and knowledge exchange in emergency management, humanitarian assistance, and relief operations.
Al-Mughamis stressed the importance of strategic partnerships with Gulf-region institutions to boost the effectiveness of humanitarian efforts and develop disaster preparedness frameworks that serve affected communities while supporting regional cooperation. He added that KRCS continues to pursue its humanitarian mission through institutional collaboration with national, regional, and international organizations, highlighting the role of knowledge sharing in strengthening overall emergency response systems.
Brigadier Dr. Al Marri praised KRCS as one of the leading humanitarian organizations in the Gulf and expressed his support for expanding cooperation. He pointed out that discussions centered on enhancing collaboration through specialized training programs and workshops focused on disaster management, emergency preparedness, and rapid response operations. Al Marri added that improved coordination and expertise sharing between the two entities would bolster emergency response capabilities, improve relief efforts, and enhance crisis and disaster management across the GCC member states.
Established in 2007 under the GCC General Secretariat, the GCC Emergency Management Center assists regional crisis and disaster management through advanced risk assessment, disaster forecasting, and the development of effective emergency response strategies.