The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) in the Makkah region has significantly expanded emergency‑response capacity for the Umrah season, deploying personnel and specialised vehicles across the holy sites and transit corridors. The move comes as the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launches the Nusuk Umrah service and publishes the 1448 AH season calendar for overseas pilgrims.
What changed
According to an SRCA statement reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Makkah‑region deployment includes more than 1,400 personnel and 160 ambulances supported by 40 electric ambulance chairs, 34 rapid‑response teams, 23 motorcycles, 55 scooters and 38 golf carts. The equipment is positioned to improve access and reduce response times in dense areas such as the approaches to Masjid al‑Haram (Grand Mosque) and other high‑traffic locations around Makkah and the pilgrimage routes (Saudi Press Agency (SPA)).
SPA later reported season activity figures for the Makkah region, recording 52,874 emergency calls and 18,841 transported cases and noting rapid‑response performance metrics in urban areas (Saudi Press Agency (SPA) (Arabic)).
What it means for pilgrims from Germany and Europe
Enhanced SRCA capacity should shorten on‑site response times for pilgrims needing urgent medical care during rites such as Tawaf, Sa'i and visits to the Rawdah. Pilgrims arriving via King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah) or Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (Madinah) will benefit from expanded ambulance coverage along transport links, including routes served by the Haramain High‑Speed Railway.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has also enabled overseas access to Umrah services through the Nusuk Umrah platform, allowing pilgrims to apply directly for an Umrah visa or use accredited agents and to book optional services such as Rawdah visits. Nusuk is available in multiple languages to assist international applicants (Nusuk Umrah; Ministry of Hajj and Umrah).
What happens next
The Ministry published the 1448 AH Umrah season calendar, which states Umrah visa issuance and entry opened on May 31 and season operations in Makkah began June 1; the calendar lists the last visa‑issuance and entry dates for the season (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah).