The United Arab Emirates has been able to prove that it is a country of the impossible, as—thanks to the wise management of the crisis and the speed of response in dealing with the situation—it managed to return life to normal and address the environmental impacts of the crisis resulting from the heaviest rainfall described as the largest to hit the UAE in 75 years—according to the National Center of Meteorology—in a way that exceeded all expectations. This was achieved through the efforts of civil defense, ambulance and rescue teams, and police patrols, which played an exceptional role in securing roads, water-flow areas, valleys, and dam outlets, organizing traffic movement, and pumping accumulated water.

From the start of the crisis, as a proactive measure, the government announced shifting schooling in schools and universities, and work across various government and private entities, to remote mode; and as the situation escalated, it announced the continuation of remote study and work to preserve lives. Warning announcements and government statements issued by the competent authorities also continued, presenting to the entire world an effective model in managing natural crises and dealing with them with the least losses and in record time.​

The UAE Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and the National Center of Meteorology, announced yesterday, Wednesday, the end of the low-pressure weather system that affected the country, after rainfall subsided and weather conditions gradually improved, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).​

The Ministry of Interior said: “The efforts of the field work teams operated in a preventive manner, and the Supreme Committee for Internal Security was in a state of continuous session during the weather condition to ensure rapid response and business continuity, and these teams will remain continuing their work until the completion of the recovery phase.”​

Not only that—affirming the value of the human being in the UAE—His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State (may God protect him), emphasized that the safety and security of citizens and residents come at the top of the UAE government’s priorities, expressing his appreciation for the level of awareness and responsibility shown by everyone during the climatic conditions the country experienced. He directed the concerned entities to swiftly work on studying the condition of infrastructure across the various regions of the country and to assess the damages caused by the record heavy rains witnessed by the country, which are considered the highest since the beginning of recording climate data in 1949.​

In this way, the UAE presents to the world an integrated model in managing environmental crises, just as it previously presented many models in managing different crises and in responding to them quickly and well, with efficiency before, during, and after the crisis—so a salute of reverence and appreciation to all the efforts that were made in that crisis.​

Written by Dr. Hamada Al-Antabli.