Disasters and Crises in the Gulf: Causes and Solutions
Keywords:
Crises Disasters Environment ResilienceAbstract
This study explores the reality of disasters and crises in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, focusing on their root causes and resulting challenges, while reviewing the efforts made to manage and mitigate their impacts. The paper examines various types of natural disasters (such as cyclones, floods, and sandstorms) and industrial ones (such as oil spills, explosions, and environmental accidents), along with health, social, and economic crises that have affected the region. The study highlights contributing factors that exacerbate these crises, including climate change, unplanned urban growth, excessive dependence on the oil sector, and limited institutional and societal awareness of disaster risks. It also discusses the accompanying environmental, economic, and social repercussions, and evaluates response policies and procedures at national, regional, and international levels. The study offers a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing risk-resilient infrastructure, activating early warning systems, encouraging economic diversification, improving environmental legislation, and building institutional capacities. It concludes that establishing an integrated disaster management system requires the adoption of proactive, knowledge-based policies, good governance, and regional and international cooperation to ensure security, stability, and sustainable development in the Gulf region.
References
UNDRR Reports – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. (Various Years). Reports on regional disaster risk reduction frameworks and strategies.
Saudi National Center for Meteorology – Climate data, weather event reporting, and disaster preparedness programs.
Abu Dhabi Environment Authority (2021) – Reports on environmental conditions, sustainability, and natural hazard risk in the UAE.
Gulf Research Center Studies – Policy briefs and research on Gulf geopolitical dynamics, economic diversification, and environmental governance.
IPCC Climate Change Reports – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (AR5 & AR6). Scientific basis for climate risks affecting the Gulf region.
GCC Civil Defense Reports – Publications on emergency management, joint drills, and regional cooperation on disaster response.
Ministries of Interior and Emergency Affairs (GCC States) – National documentation and policies on civil defense, emergency response, and infrastructure resilience.
World Health Organization (WHO) – Technical guidelines and regional pandemic data, particularly on MERS and COVID-19.
FAO Regional Reports – Food and Agriculture Organization documents on environmental degradation and water resource risks in arid zones.
Paris Agreement (2015) – UN climate accord with contributions and commitments by Gulf nations toward climate mitigation.
National Visions & Economic Strategies –
Saudi Vision 2030
Qatar National Vision 2030
UAE Centennial 2071
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) – Disaster response and humanitarian coordination in Gulf crises.
Oman’s National Emergency Management Authority Reports – Especially related to Cyclone Gonu.
World Bank and IMF Gulf Economic Updates – Economic vulnerability assessments and recovery strategies post-crisis.
Peer-reviewed academic studies – On Gulf urbanization, social instability, and climate adaptation, e.g., published in Journal of Arabian Studies, Disasters, and Climate Policy.
Dr. Mahgoub Fadlallah A / Elradi Adam, Africa International University, Faculty of Disaster and Human Security – Original academic supervision and compilation.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Mahgoub Fadlallah Abdel-Radi Adam

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