Muscat: The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT) hosted the “Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and their Families” conference in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization on Tuesday in Muscat.
The two-day forum which aims to discuss crisis response protocols, legal frameworks and communication strategies was launched under the auspices of Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health.
Majid al Barhi, Director of the Transport Safety Bureau at MoTCIT, highlighted the significance of supporting aircraft accident victims in his key address, “The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recognises that air accidents, when they occur, result in human and material losses.
ICAO urges its member states to consider the physical and psychological condition of the victims of civil aviation accidents and their families. It is essential to follow up on the affairs of the victims and their families in such accidents, as well as to handle them professionally and responsibly regarding the measures taken by emergency teams, the operating airlines concerned with the incident, and the investigating authorities.”
Aisha al Hameli, acting Assistant Director-General - Air Accident Investigations, UAE, and the Chairperson of the Aircraft Accident and Incident Group (AIIG), underscored the significance of dialogue and knowledge exchange, “Today, we gather to exchange views and develop strategies. We have a shared responsibility to establish an effective system for our region, enabling us to respond efficiently and employ the best practices in the aftermath of such tragic events. We recognise that the impact of an air accident may extend beyond the physical aspect to affect psychological well-being.” She shed light on previous incidents that solidified the need for timely and adequate support for victims and their families.
“Painful incidents such as Air France Flight 447 in 2009 and Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in 2014 served as harsh reminders of the challenges faced by the families of the victims in receiving timely and adequate support, assistance and information. In response to these challenges and objectives, the International Civil Aviation Organisation recognised the need to adapt and address this human issue within the framework of international standards, evidence and references.” Over 200 participants from various private and public sectors attended the forum.
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