Recommendations call for specialised training, unified guidelines and enhanced facility preparedness

A specialised workshop organised by the Municipal Council on Wednesday discussed the development of safe evacuation procedures for people with disabilities during emergency situations, with the participation of several concerned authorities, KUNA reported.

Head of the Municipal Council’s Committee on Disability Affairs, Farah Al-Roumi, said the workshop titled “Safe Evacuation Plan for People with Disabilities in Emergency Situations” aimed to enhance the safety of people with disabilities and support their integration into society.

Al-Roumi explained that the workshop brought together representatives from the General Fire Force and the Public Authority for Disability Affairs, while also listening directly to the experiences and challenges faced by people with disabilities and their families during emergencies.

She noted that the discussions focused on developing practical solutions and effective implementation mechanisms to improve emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures.

Al-Roumi stressed the importance of implementing the Kuwait Code, which became mandatory following Ministerial Resolution No. 696 of 2024, adding that the workshop highlighted preparedness and evacuation requirements included within the code.

She further emphasised that ensuring the safety of people with disabilities is a shared national responsibility that requires cooperation among all relevant authorities.

The workshop concluded with several recommendations, including the preparation of a specialised national guide for evacuation planning for people with disabilities in emergency situations, in cooperation with all concerned entities.

Recommendations also included the introduction of training programmes for people with disabilities and their families to familiarise them with emergency evacuation procedures, as well as encouraging all buildings and facilities to adopt evacuation requirements designed to ensure the safety of people with disabilities during emergencies.