The National Operations Centre based in Abu Dhabi has played a pivotal role in crisis management, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), the centre works with 60 different agencies across the UAE, monitoring the situation and implementing response plans to ensure the effective coordination of national resources during emergencies and crises. The centre provides comprehensive information to decision-makers to prepare for any crisis and emergency situation.
Dr Saif Juma Al Dhaheri, the Director of the National Operations Centre, spoke about the centre’s role in coordinating operations within the crisis and emergency domain in the UAE. During an interview with Khaleej Times, Dr Al Dhaheri explained that the centre has a liaison officer who represents each agency, depending on the hazards that need to be addressed. Additionally, representatives and experts from relevant ministries and agencies are involved in the coordination and response process as required.
The centre was fully activated during the Covid-19 pandemic, and Dr Al Dhaheri noted that the experience taught the centre a great deal. He said that the centre now knows how to bring services to people with normality and how to ensure business continuity and sustain supply chains. The centre has also become adept at managing suspicious risks and threats, including natural hazards, international security agencies, cybersecurity issues, and suspicious phone calls or movements around crucial infrastructure that could threaten national security.
Dr Al Dhaheri explained that the centre’s experts and stakeholders follow trends and use methodological approaches to anticipate future crises and prepare for them accordingly. He added that the centre supports the civil part of the government and coordinates services from the ministries, working collaboratively with partners to develop better policies and strategies.
The National Operations Centre’s work is ongoing, with the team working around the clock, 365 days a year, to ensure that the UAE is always prepared to respond to any emergency or crisis that may arise. The centre’s commitment to serving the people of the UAE is unwavering, and it remains accessible to anyone who needs to talk to them about any suspicious risks or threats that they may have identified.
Overall, the National Operations Centre plays a critical role in the UAE’s crisis management efforts, providing a comprehensive, coordinated approach to emergency response that draws on the expertise and resources of a wide range of agencies and stakeholders. The centre’s work during the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted its value, as it helped to ensure that the country was well prepared to respond to this unprecedented crisis. Going forward, the centre’s ongoing work will continue to support the UAE’s efforts to protect its citizens and residents and to maintain its position as a global leader in crisis management
