Kuwait ramps up emergency readiness as firefighters, cyber defenses, health services respond to attacks

Kuwait Fire Fighters demonstrated a high level of preparedness in containing and preventing the spread of fires that broke out as a result of hostile attacks.

These attacks included the headquarters of the Public Institution for Social Security and two fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport. Two temporary fire stations were established, along with a media center to disseminate reliable and accurate information to the public.

On the digital defense front, the National Cybersecurity Center thwarted a series of hostile cyber activities and threats targeting the country’s digital systems, thus preventing any impact on the continuity of government services or the integrity of the digital infrastructure.

In close coordination with relevant government agencies, the Ministry of Health is monitoring current developments, emphasizing the activation of approved health emergency plans and raising the level of preparedness in various health facilities, in addition to intensifying environmental and preventative monitoring measures.

Kuwait has also raised the level of preparedness at all sports and youth facilities, utilizing available resources to support the state’s plans and unify efforts regarding the shelter and emergency plan in light of the current circumstances in the region.

In the education sector, the government demonstrated its flexibility by rapidly transitioning to distance learning. The Ministries of Education and Higher Education issued a decision to suspend in-person classes, a move that balanced the continuity of the educational system with the safety of students and staff.

Similarly, the Civil Service Council decided to reduce the number of employees in government entities to no more than 30% of the total workforce to ensure the continuity of government operations and maintain public services with minimal gatherings, while also authorizing the implementation of an employee rotation system.

The unified government application for electronic services (Sahl) maintained its full readiness to provide stable and secure government services around the clock, with continuous operational monitoring by technical teams to ensure service sustainability and enhance integration among government entities.

Reflecting the government’s comprehensive care, a service was activated to send instant alerts via the Sahl application to people with hearing impairments when sirens sound in the country in the event of any danger. Furthermore, employees with disabilities in all government entities were exempted from work during these exceptional circumstances.

The Supreme Council for Family Affairs launched an urgent telephone psychological counseling service to provide initial psychological and social support to affected individuals and families, responding to the increased psychological pressures resulting from current events and fulfilling the Council’s duty to protect families and their members.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation launched a plan for citizens wishing to return to Kuwait who had pre-booked flights, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Kuwait Airways. These citizens were transported to an airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and then returned to Kuwait by land.

Flights were also arranged to certain destinations for residents wishing to return to Kuwait. Based on the national and humanitarian responsibility borne by the charitable sector in the State of Kuwait, 50 Kuwaiti charitable societies and foundations signed the statement of the Union of Kuwaiti Charitable Societies and Foundations, affirming their complete alignment with the political leadership and their readiness to dedicate their resources to supporting state institutions and strengthening the social stability system in the country.

The government intensified its media outreach, continuously reassuring the public about the stability of food, medicine, and strategic blood reserves, as well as the smooth operation of various agencies and facilities.

This coincided with an awareness campaign led by a group of specialized bodies. The regular media briefings provided through the Government Communication Center serve as a vital platform for various ministries and state military and civilian entities to inform the public about developments, ongoing efforts, new services, statistics, and guidance related to the current situation.

The Cybercrime Department also successfully countered rumors aimed at inciting panic and proactively pursued misleading social media accounts.

On the diplomatic front, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs spearheaded an intensive diplomatic effort to expose the aggression, sending identical letters to both the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council.

These letters condemned the Iranian attacks on Kuwait and affirmed Kuwait’s inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. The Ministry also intensified coordination with its Gulf neighbors and international partners, emphasizing that the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states is indivisible.

— KUNA