Article 14 of the Saudi Civil Defense Law

This article sets out what the General Directorate of Civil Defense is competent for, subject to what the laws provide and the decisions of the Civil Defense Council. Its main powers are:

• Planning and implementation: proposing civil defense plans, projects and measures and following up their implementation, and carrying out those within its jurisdiction from them and from the decisions of the Council and the Minister of Interior.
• Facing disasters: taking the appropriate measures to face disasters that the Minister of Interior has issued a decision to treat as a disaster, and in doing so it may draw on the capabilities of the military forces and other bodies and request the persons, equipment and tools needed.
• Relieving those affected: providing food, clothing, shelter, treatment, cash relief and other help to those affected at times of disasters, under a regulation the Civil Defense Council issues.
• Compensation: making the necessary recommendations to the competent bodies for compensation for damage caused by disasters or enemy action; according to the text, the Directorate recommends and does not itself decide compensation.
• Coordination and development: contacting ministries and relevant bodies to coordinate cooperation, developing civil defense to keep pace with scientific and military progress, and representing the Kingdom in organizations and conferences.
• Training and budget: carrying out training programs as the Council decides, proposing times for tests and drills and calling up trained personnel, proposing subjects to be put before the Council, and proposing its draft annual budget.

The Council of Ministers may amend these powers. The text of paragraph (h) was issued by Royal Decree No. (M/63) dated 13/9/1436 AH.

The article is linked to Article 13, which makes the Director General of Civil Defense responsible for carrying out the Directorate's powers, and to Article 15, which makes the civil defense director in his area responsible for carrying out operations. The details of the relief provided to those affected are set by the regulation the Council issues, not by this article.