Damascus, May 12 (QNA) - HE Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management of the Syrian Arab Republic Raed Al Saleh emphasized that the State of Qatar was one of the first countries to stand by the Syrian people and has continued to provide humanitarian and relief support at various stages, up to the recovery and reconstruction phase.

His Excellency expressed, in an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), the Syrian government’s deep appreciation for Qatar’s positions and efforts in strengthening Syria's national capabilities in the field of emergency and disaster management. He also praised the fruitful partnership between his ministry and the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya).

The Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management explained that the cooperation agreement signed by the Syrian side, represented by the Syrian Civil Defence Organization (White Helmets), with the International Search and Rescue Group, marks a pivotal milestone in the process of building an integrated disaster management system in Syria, as the agreement stipulates providing specialized training for Syrian rescue and civil defense teams.

He emphasized that this agreement will contribute to preparing professional Syrian teams capable of carrying out rescue operations and rapid response according to international standards, not only within Syria but in any region that requires urgent humanitarian support.

Al Saleh added that they are working in cooperation with Qatar to overcome the challenges imposed by years of war and successive natural disasters, stressing that they aim to rehabilitate Syrian personnel and equip them with modern tools to ensure high readiness and immediate response in the event of any emergency.

He pointed out that the establishment of this ministry comes within the context of restructuring Syrian state institutions to ensure an effective and centralized response to growing challenges, whether stemming from conflicts, natural disasters, or humanitarian crises.

He noted that Syria has faced a series of complex crises in recent years, most notably the devastating earthquake that struck the country in February 2023. This created an urgent need for a central authority responsible for planning, implementation, and emergency management.

He explained that previously adopted mechanisms, which relied on distributing responsibilities among multiple entities, are no longer sufficient. The establishment of the ministry aims to unify efforts and improve performance efficiency in this vital sector, he said.

Regarding plans to build a comprehensive national disaster response system, he stated that work is underway to develop an integrated strategic framework based on coordination between all national and international stakeholders. This includes clear mechanisms for role distribution, task integration, and enhancing rapid response through the formation of field teams trained and equipped with the latest tools, in addition to proactive planning based on scenario analysis and simulations.

He explained that the ministry has begun laying the foundations for an early warning system that covers all types of risks, such as earthquakes, floods, and fires, using advanced technologies linked to operations centers to ensure timely alerts are delivered to residents and relevant authorities. He added that the ministry’s technical infrastructure is currently undergoing a comprehensive upgrade, including the installation of new sensors and enhancement of monitoring centers.

He also noted that the ministry holds broad powers for coordination with friendly nations and international organizations, given that disasters transcend borders and require multilateral responses. He clarified that the ministry is the officially authorized body to issue international appeals for assistance, receive foreign rescue teams, and organize their operations within Syrian territory.

He concluded by saying that the involvement of many international organizations in supporting Syria’s emergency sector is accelerating recovery efforts, stressing the importance of aligning international aid with national priorities, ensuring support reaches the most critical sectors, and upholding Syrian sovereignty in the emergency management process. (QNA)