DOHA: The Mena Red Cross and Red Crescent Consultative Meeting, hosted by Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) began yesterday at Crowne Plaza.
The three-day event is being attended by representatives of 31 Mena and non-Mena national societies, including all Arab countries, Iran, France, the UK, the US, Germany, Norway and Denmark.
Other guests include senior officials from International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC).
“The Mena region is witnessing deep changes that cannot be ignored or prevented. In this transitional period, these conditions pose serious challenges to our national societies. About 70-75 percent of our populations is youth. We can help keep the balance and avoid fluctuations, but the real driver remains the youth,” said Dr Mohamed bin Ghanem Al Ali Al Maadheed, Chairman, QRC.
He said national societies would successfully undertake their mission only when they stick to the overall humanitarian principles.
He called upon the national societies to think out of the box and assume a positive role in upholding social peace, strengthening societies, and building individuals and cultures locally and internationally, otherwise they will become weaker and marginalised.
He commended QRC’s role in International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and achievements in relation to implementing recommendations of the first meeting in Cairo 2012 and the Tunisia meeting. The Peninsula
