Manama, Bahrain- Per the directives of His Excellency Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Civil Defence Council, the Chief of Public Security, Lt-General Tariq Al Hassan, Chairman of the National Committee for Civil Emergency Management, officially launched the first phase of the “Get Airports Ready for Disaster (GARD)” project. The launch ceremony was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, Bahrain Airport Company, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and global logistics leader DHL.  

The project aims to enhance national capabilities in emergency preparedness within the civil aviation sector by developing integrated response plans for natural and man-made hazards, and by updating crisis management protocols at airports in accordance with internationally recognised logistical standards.  

In his remarks, the Chief affirmed that the launch of this project aligns with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s vision to build a more resilient and efficient national emergency response system. He highlighted that airports are strategic gateways of sovereign and economic importance, and therefore require a high level of preparedness to respond to a wide range of emergency scenarios, including natural disasters, technical failures, and biological or radiological emergencies.  

He praised the joint efforts of government authorities and international partners, especially DHL’s leading role in supporting this global programme, as well as the technical and operational support provided by UNDP.  

Acting Undersecretary for Civil Aviation Affairs at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, Husain Al Shuail, underlined the significance of the GARD Programme as a pivotal step toward enhancing the civil aviation sector’s emergency readiness. He noted that this collaboration will strengthen the operational resilience of Bahrain International Airport and ensure continuity of vital logistics operations under exceptional circumstances. He reiterated the Ministry’s full commitment to implementing the programme’s outcomes and to advancing collaboration with all stakeholders to uphold the highest standards of readiness and operational safety. 

CEO of Bahrain Airport Company,  Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah,  praised the productive cooperation with the Executive Office of the National Committee for Civil Emergency Management, the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, UNDP, and DHL in implementing the GARD Programme. He described it as a successful model of international collaboration that contributes to enhancing the safety and efficiency of Bahrain’s civil aviation sector.     

He expressed pride in Bahrain International Airport being the first in the Gulf region to join this global programme, which aims to build robust emergency and disaster response capacity at airports. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to adopting best practices and international standards in crisis management, continuously updating emergency protocols, and working closely with airport partners to develop national competencies in support of Bahrain’s broader emergency management efforts.  

The GARD Project is a pioneering global initiative launched in response to lessons learned from natural disasters that disrupted airport operations around the world. The project provides readiness assessment tools, customised emergency plans, and simulation-based training exercises to strengthen national security and public safety systems.  

The event concluded with the announcement of the implementation schedule for the first phase of the project, which includes field assessment workshops, specialised training for airport emergency personnel, and the development of Bahrain International Airport’s Major Emergency Response Plan.