Article 12 of the Saudi Civil Defense Law

This article brings together the executive powers held by the Minister of Interior, chairman of the Civil Defense Council, subject to what other laws provide, which are:

• (a) Coordination between the Ministry of Interior on one side and the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of the National Guard and the General Intelligence Presidency on the other, to ensure civil defense work is carried out. The text of this paragraph was issued by Royal Decree No. (M/63) dated 13/9/1436 AH.
• (b) Ordering tests and drills to verify the adequacy and readiness of civil defense means.
• (c) Ordering the calling up of trained personnel in civil defense formations.
• (d) Temporary use of facilities, buildings, tools, equipment, means of transport and the like, where necessary to carry out civil defense plans, in exceptional cases and in return for fair compensation.
• (e) Direct purchase of the materials and tools needed in disasters, whatever their value, but within the amounts allocated for that.
• (f) and (g) Determining that a disaster exists and declaring it.
• (h) Issuing any decisions that the interest of civil defense dictates.

The article ends by providing that the Council of Ministers may amend these powers.

What matters most to individuals and companies here is paragraph (d): the temporary use of their property is subject to three limits that the text states: that it be necessary to carry out civil defense plans and measures, that it be in exceptional cases, and that it be in return for fair compensation. The article does not explain how compensation is assessed or the procedures for claiming it.

Determining that a disaster exists is tied to its definition in Article 2, which is any fire, collapse, flood, storm, earthquake or other accident that causes harm or threatens the lives of individuals or property. Anyone whose property has been used can consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases about compensation.