An important program you should know: The Meteorology Initiative to raise awareness of weather phenomena
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia announced a new strategic initiative aimed at enhancing public safety through the launch of the "Important to Know" program. This comprehensive national awareness program seeks to instill a culture of best practices in dealing with various weather phenomena. The center's official spokesperson, Hussein Al-Qahtani, emphasized that this initiative comes in response to the urgent need to raise public awareness, particularly in light of the climate changes the world and the region are experiencing.
The importance of timing and strategic context
The launch of the “Important to Know” program comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing remarkable development in its meteorological monitoring and early warning system. This campaign is particularly important given the Kingdom’s vast geographical diversity, which makes it susceptible to various weather patterns ranging from heavy rainfall and flash floods in some areas to dust storms or heat waves in others. The program aims to transform meteorological information from mere digital data into a societal culture that contributes to protecting lives and property and supports quality of life, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes human safety and well-being.
Integrated partnership led by the Civil Defense
Al-Qahtani explained that the program does not operate in isolation, but is led by the Saudi Civil Defense in strategic partnership with all relevant government sectors, the private sector, public benefit associations, and volunteers. This collaboration reflects the level of institutional integration to ensure that awareness messages reach all segments of society, both citizens and residents, with the aim of building preventative awareness before events occur, thus reducing potential risks resulting from sudden weather changes.
From reaction to advance planning
The program focuses primarily on modifying societal behaviors, aiming to shift the traditional view of weather from a sudden occurrence to an integral part of daily planning. The spokesperson emphasized that the goal is not to instill fear of weather phenomena, but rather to educate people on how to coexist with and benefit from them. Weather can often be a catalyst for tourism and recreational activities if approached consciously, by choosing the right time and place based on prior information and avoiding potentially dangerous areas such as valleys during periods of rain.
Technology in the service of awareness: The "Anwaa" application
In the context of digital transformation, Al-Qahtani highlighted the pivotal role of technology in the success of this program, pointing to the "Anwaa" app from the National Center of Meteorology. The app is now one of the most downloaded in the Middle East in its field, providing accurate and up-to-date weather and air quality information, as well as ten-day forecasts. The center encouraged everyone to download the app and consider it a daily companion that helps in making safe and informed decisions, whether for commuting or leisure activities, thus reinforcing the concept of "Knowing is Important" as a motto and a way of life.
