QRCS Secretary-General Ali bin Hassan Al Hammadi with a delegation from the embassy of the United States in Doha.
Doha: Ali bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), has met a delegation from the embassy of the United States in Doha, headed by Natalie A. Baker, Chargé d’Affaires of the US embassy to strengthen cooperation on common humanitarian issues and discuss the latest humanitarian work in many emergency zones.
The meeting was attended by Faisal Mohamed Al Emadi, CEO, and Dr. Fawzi Oussedik, Head of International Relations and International Humanitarian Law.
They highlighted the ongoing coordination and excellent relations between QRCS and the American Red Cross. A few months ago, the two parties held a bilateral online strategic dialogue to introduce their respective systems of work and key mandates. It was agreed to draft a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be signed soon during an official visit to the headquarters of the American Red Cross in Washington.
During the meeting, Al Hammadi referred to talks with the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) to support education in the country. There were meetings between staff of the US Embassy and QRCS’s Relief and International Development Division to introduce the ongoing humanitarian operations in many emergency zones, such as Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, the West Bank, and Gaza.
“I would like to thank the US humanitarian agencies for their constant support both regionally and globally,” he said. “I look forward to closer cooperation in the future. Last year, we celebrated the Year of Culture Qatar-USA 2021, with many joint events”.
A special focus was given to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and the assistance provided by QRCS, whether for the local communities or the families evacuated to Qatar. QRCS deployed two field hospitals to provide first aid and medical services, and its volunteers were engaged in receiving the Afghans upon arrival and organizing their stay, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
Recently, QRCS and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) signed a cooperation agreement to provide psychological support and restoring family links (RFL) services. In Afghanistan, QRCS has been working there since 2014, in cooperation with the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Currently, QRCS and Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society (KRCS) are working on a humanitarian response to the urgent and health needs in Afghanistan. Ten food aid shipments have already been sent by air to be distributed to beneficiaries across the country. This intervention was praised by MoFA and was highly welcomed by the target communities.
Every year, QRCS launches humanitarian campaigns for many countries, one of which is Afghanistan. These include a winterisation aid to distribute winter wear, blankets, and tents for the homeless; cardiac catheterisations and cochlear implants for children; and educational support for schools.
Al Hammadi stressed the need for concerted efforts to address the shortage in disaster response resources. “QRCS works worldwide through partnerships with UN agencies, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), and others,” he explained.
