Community cohesion and years of preparedness planning were central to the UAE’s response to a two-day crisis, according to the head of the country’s top emergency authority.
Ali Saeed Al Neyadi, Chairman of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), said the response demonstrated the strength of a governance framework built on proactive exercises and capability development. “What has been achieved today is the result of cumulative institutional work grounded in proactive planning, joint national exercises, and the development of sustainable capabilities that enhance the State’s resilience in addressing various scenarios,” he said.
Readiness protocols were triggered from the outset, with risk and threat assessments conducted on a continuous basis throughout the incident. “From the very first moment, the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management System was activated and operational readiness levels were raised based on continuous and comprehensive risk and threat assessments, ensuring the protection of lives, preservation of national gains, and uninterrupted delivery of vital services,” Al Neyadi said.
He pointed to the alignment between government institutions and the public as a defining feature of the response. “The cohesion, trust, and cooperation demonstrated reflect the strong sense of responsibility that characterises the society of the United Arab Emirates,” he said, adding that this relationship between institutions and citizens forms “a fundamental pillar of the national preparedness system.”
Al Neyadi called on residents to rely only on official sources for information and to avoid spreading unverified content, while reaffirming the authority’s commitment to transparency in keeping the public updated.
Authorities, he said, remain engaged around the clock. “The competent authorities are closely monitoring developments around the clock, continuously assessing the situation, and taking all necessary measures in accordance with evolving circumstances to ensure the highest levels of readiness and preparedness.”
