DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Unicef to support joint humanitarian action for women and children.
The five-year renewable deal will serve as a framework for coordinated relations through exchange of experiences, cooperation in projects and other joint actions.
It was signed by Saleh bin Ali Al Mohannadi, QRC Secretary- General, and Dr Ibrahim Al Ziq, Gulf Area Representative, Unicef.
It covers all humanitarian development, protection and response actions in favour of women and children. These will include but not limited to the lives, survival and development of young children; gender equality in basic education; HIV/Aids in children; protection against, prevention of and response to all forms of violence, exploitation and abuse; and promotion of applicable policy compliance and partnership building for the protection of children’s rights, according to a QRC statement.
Both sides will coordinate with local and national governments in humanitarian action through exchange of experiences, funding, studies, reports, and information; invitation to either party’s meetings, seminars, symposiums, workshops, and conferences; and regular talks to explore and enhance cooperation.
Al Mohannadi said the agreement was a further step towards integration between international humanitarian players and overcoming barriers to humanitarian efforts, offering access to assistance for the needy, particularly women and children, and facilitating implementation of programmes and projects to alleviate their suffering and advance them in all aspects.
Dr Al Ziq said children are the most affected group at times of crisis. “Improving their living condition is key to social development. As QRC and Unicef share the same mission of helping the most disadvantaged groups with development or relief activities, this translated into deeper forms of cooperation, exchange of experiences, and resource mobilisation. This would work towards the common goals of reaching out to the largest number of children and their families and providing support more effectively.”
QRC and Unicef have had partnerships in several areas, including urgent relief intervention in the Yemeni city of Amran to distribute $60,000 worth of food assistance and hygiene kits to 700 poorest families and a polio vaccination programme for Syrian children at a cost of $10m. The Peninsula
