Civil Defense to send 2.7m SMSes on safety while doing Umrah

The integrated system includes awareness visits and guidance for those working in housing for pilgrims and visitors. (SPA)

RIYADH: The Directorate General of Civil Defense said it will send 2.7 million text messages through mobile devices to educate pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on safety measures while performing Umrah.
“The move will be made for the convenience and safety of the numerous pilgrims performing Umrah. It reminds them to take the necessary precautions always for their safety,” the Civil Defense said.
The Civil Defense added that the move is part of an integrated plan to ensure safety and preventive awareness against risks associated with the presence of millions of pilgrims performing Umrah at the Grand Mosque.
It added that sending a large number of messages per day, since the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan, comes within the framework of an integrated system of awareness-raising activities implemented between safety managers of Makkah and Madinah regions.
The integrated system includes awareness visits and guidance for those working in housing for pilgrims and visitors as well as residents, industrial facilities and commercial centers and interviews with officials and administrators of security and safety.
The Civil Defense added that these were in addition to 2,300 interviews and meetings with administrators for security and safety in all establishments in Makkah and Madinah.
It added that preventive education affairs safety programs during Ramadan included a large number of messages translated and illustrated on billboards and television screens.
“Most of pilgrims have expressed satisfaction regarding the translated messages which they read on the television screens,” the Civil Defense added.