The Palestinian Civil Defence (PCD) (Arabic: الدفاع المدني الفلسطيني) is one of the main branches of the Palestinian Security Services under direct responsibility of the Minister of the Interior of the State of Palestine. The organization is responsible for emergency services and rescue in the areas under control of the Palestinian Authority.
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Establishment
The Oslo Accords envisioned an Emergency Services and Rescue branche (Al Difa'a Al Madani) as part of one sole security force named "The Palestinian Police".
On 28 May 1998, then President Yasser Arafat issued "Civil Defence Law No. 3 of 1998", which brought into effect a draft law of the Legislative Council. The organization came under the authority of the Minister of the Interior, under the direction of the Director-General of Civil Defence. Also a Higher Civil Defence Council led by the Interior Minister was established to formulate and implement the general policy of the Civil Defence.
Tasks
The Civil Defence is an emergency and rescue organization which takes action in cases of natural catastrophes and emergency, including occurrence of fire, rescue, external military attacks and all other risks.
International support
In June 2015, the European Union provided as part of a 3.7 million euro grant of equipment to the Palestinian Civil Defence, 5 rapid response vehicles and 9 additional vehicles. They were handed over to General Mahmoud Issa, the Director General of the Palestinian Civil Defence. Also Mobile Lighting Masts and electric generators were delivered.
In March 2016, the EU delivered 9 firefighting engines and three rescue trucks as part of a 20 Million Euro of EU infrastructure programme in the Security Sector. They were handed over at the celebration of the conclusion of a capacity-building programme. Also 8 community police stations and a correctional facility in the West Bank were built as part of the infrastructure programme.