The fourth edition of the National Awareness Campaign on the Risks of Weather Hazards and Tsunami was launched today under the patronage of His Excellency Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat Governorate, and in the presence of Their Excellencies the walis of the governorate’s wilayats, honoredmembers of the Municipal Council, and a number of officials from military, security, and civil institutions. The launch took place at the Muscat Governorate building in Al Bustan area,and the campaign will continue until Thursday, 11 December 2025.

The campaign which is held under the slogan “Your Awareness for Your Safety,” , is implemented by the National Committee for Emergency Management, represented by the National Emergency Management Center; the Civil Aviation Authority, represented by the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Center; the Ministry of Information; and the Civil Defense and Ambulance Authority, in cooperation with the Office of the Governor of Muscat and the Ministry of Education.

It is delivered through four main pillars: meetings and seminars, practical exercises, participation in activities and events across the governorate, and awareness publications. It aims to raise community and stakeholder awareness of individual and institutional preparedness for emergencies, promote safe behavior during incidents, strengthen community partnership during the recovery phase, support the overall safety and multi-hazard protection framework, enhance understanding of the early warning system, and safeguard lives and property.

The campaign targets local community, educational, economic, and security sectors. It includes on-site meetings and seminars in several Wilayats, along with theoretical and practical drills in various schools, including a full evacuation drill at Abu Ayyub Al-Hadhrami Primary Education School in Wilayat Al Seeb, and a partial evacuation drill at Al-Monjazat Primary Education School in Wilayat Quriyat. An accompanying awareness exhibition will also be held at Oman Avenues Mall with the participation of several government entities on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In his opening speech, His Excellency Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat Governorate, stated: “The launch of this campaign in Muscat Governorate reflects Oman’s continuous commitment to strengthening the pillars of prevention and public safety, and enhancing societal awareness of natural hazards. It is grounded in a firm national approach focused on protecting lives and property and enhancing the community’s preparedness to deal with various emergencies through clear plans and well-defined pathways.”

He added: “One of the key pillars of this campaign is affirming that awareness is a shared responsibility, and that understanding how to respond to weather systems and emergencies can help reduce the potential impacts of natural hazards. The campaign also aims to reinforce discipline in the flow of information by encouraging reliance on official sources and countering rumors and inaccurate information that may affect public safety during unstable weather conditions.”

Colonel Zayed bin Hamad Al-Junaibi, Head of the National Committee for Emergency Management, said : “Dealing with weather hazards is a collective responsibility that requires the combined efforts of all segments and institutions of society. Individuals, government agencies, and private entities must adopt the necessary measures to reduce the risks associated with emergencies and weather events. This spirit of cooperation and solidarity was clearly evident during previous weather conditions.”

He added: “The Omani community, in all its components, demonstrated an honorable national spirit during past exceptional circumstances. The National Committee for Emergency Management, through its sectors, committees, and supporting entities, mobilized national efforts and capabilities to manage those events and their consequences, helping protect lives and property. This campaign aims to further enhance community awareness and strengthen preparedness for emergencies.”

Abdullah bin Rashid Al-Khudouri, Director General of Meteorology at the Civil Aviation Authority, emphasized that:“The climate challenges the world is witnessing today require collective effort and continuous awareness initiatives, this is exactly what this national campaign seeks to achieve. Our aim is to deliver clear and simplified scientific messages that enhance public awareness and promote preventive behavior in facing weather hazards. At the Authority, we continue to develop the meteorological and early warning systems using the latest global technologies to ensure accurate alerts and rapid response, thereby safeguarding lives and property.”

The campaign also aims to disseminate multiple media messages, including guidance on how to deal with weather hazards, highlighting the efforts of various sectors during weather events affecting the Sultanate of Oman, promoting safety instructions, stressing the importance of relying on official information sources and avoiding rumors, and instilling proper safety practices within school communities.

It is worth noting that the Sultanate of Oman is among the countries exposed to tropical cyclones and tsunami risks due to its geographic location along the Arabian Sea. This campaign underscores the importance of raising awareness to enhance community preparedness and ensure rapid response to emergencies. The campaign’s launch is focused initially on coastal governorates and will later extend to all governorates across the Sultanate.