In a strategic move aimed at enhancing the services provided to pilgrims visiting the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques announced today the launch of the "Ambulance Volunteer Framework" for national associations, in a unique partnership with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority. This initiative seeks to solidify the principles of humanitarian and volunteer work in the holiest of places and ensure the provision of high-quality healthcare and emergency services to the pilgrims.
Promoting a culture of volunteering and keeping pace with Vision 2030
This announcement is not merely an organizational measure, but rather part of a comprehensive national effort aligned with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to reach one million volunteers annually in the non-profit sector. Serving pilgrims has long been a source of pride passed down through generations in the Kingdom, and with the increasing number of visitors from around the world, the urgent need has arisen to unify and organize volunteer efforts within institutional frameworks that ensure efficiency and professionalism.
The new framework aims to raise the efficiency of the emergency response system within the Two Holy Mosques, as the courtyards, the circumambulation area and the Sa’i area witness a high human density that requires the presence of trained and qualified teams for rapid and effective intervention in emergency cases, which reduces the burden on the basic staff and increases the speed of dealing with critical cases.
Participation requirements and professional standards
The authority explained that the regulatory framework sets precise standards to ensure the quality of service and the safety of medical practices. The authority also outlined a number of general conditions for the participation of voluntary associations, most notably:
- The volunteer organization must be officially accredited and registered with the relevant authorities in the Kingdom.
- The volunteer team should include professionally licensed healthcare practitioners.
- Members obtain accredited professional certifications, such as the "Ambassador of Life" (BLS) certification for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Full compliance with the protocols and instructions issued by the Saudi Red Crescent Authority and the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques.
Integration of efforts and operational responsibilities
As part of the division of roles, the Authority clarified that participating ambulance associations will be responsible for providing qualified personnel, in addition to securing the necessary medical and ambulance equipment, according to prior agreements with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority. This coordination ensures the readiness of field teams to deal with various circumstances and seasons, whether during the holy month of Ramadan or the Hajj season, thus enhancing the effectiveness of field response.
Call for applications and participation
The Authority has extended an open invitation to volunteer organizations wishing to have the honor of serving pilgrims to submit a formal application to participate. The application must include detailed information such as team details, available medical specialties, proposed areas of work, and lists of nominated members, and should be submitted via the official email address designated for this initiative.
This step confirms the Kingdom’s continued commitment to developing the environment of the Two Holy Mosques, harnessing all national capabilities and partnerships to enhance the visitor experience, and achieving the highest levels of safety and peace of mind for them while performing their rituals.
