‘COVID Legacy Powers Safety'

TDT | Manama
Bahrain's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has laid the foundation for a far-reaching transformation in civil protection and crisis governance, according to a senior lawmaker.
MP Dr. Maryam Al-Dhaen said the Kingdom's pandemic response had demonstrated how trust, innovation, and citizen participation could be channelled into a long-term national safety strategy.
That experience, she noted, has now evolved into an integrated civil defence model focused on readiness, technology, and shared responsibility.
She pointed to current efforts that embed digital tools into emergency response frameworks, while simultaneously empowering society at large to play a greater role in public safety.
Smart tools, safer citizens One of the most visible changes is the rollout of the 'BeAware Bahrain' mobile application, which offers users real-time alerts, safety guidance, and interactive support in emergency scenarios.
Dr. Al-Dhaen described the app as a key part of Bahrain's shift from reactive crisis response to proactive community protection.
Complementing the app is the National Civil Protection Platform, an institutional framework designed to unify state and community efforts under a common strategy.
The platform, she said, reinforces Bahrain's advanced security culture and promotes an environment of resilience and awareness.
Shared responsibility
The government's civil protection efforts also include expanding the scope of preparedness across different sectors.
Dr. Al-Dhaen highlighted the recent civil defence training sessions conducted for Members of Parliament, calling it a clear sign that the responsibility for public safety is being shared across institutions.
'The concept of safety in Bahrain has become a shared responsibility between state institutions and society,' she said, noting that awareness campaigns and simulations have now reached multiple levels of government and civil society.
Leadership and coordination
Dr. Al-Dhaen credited His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for leading a crisis governance model that prioritises regional stability and domestic readiness. She also praised the active role of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in monitoring emergency procedures and enhancing national preparedness.
She further commended the Civil Defence Council, chaired by His Excellency Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, for its role in strengthening preventive measures and coordination across agencies.
In closing, Dr. Al-Dhaen said Bahrain's civil protection system today reflects the lessons of its pandemic response, turning past challenges into future safeguards.

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