12 Sep 2017 – 15:19
QNA
Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) issued a humanitarian appeal to raise $3 million for the relief of Rohingya people who fled the violence in their home country, seeking refuge in Bangladesh.
Under the first phase of intervention, QRCS will operate two mobile clinics, provide 5,000 hygiene kits, build 250 sanitation facilities, distribute 5,000 food packages, and 5,000 shelter kits. Around 5,000 families (25,000 people) will benefit from this much-needed aid.
Asked about how to contribute to QRCS’s humanitarian response, Head of Financial Resource Mobilization Ahmed Ali Al Khulaifi explained, “Institutions and individuals can donate online or via QRCS’s account at Barwa Bank. They can also lodge their donations with QRCS headquarters, agents at malls and shopping centers, or through QRCS’s hotlines.
At a press briefing today QRCS Secretary-General Ali Hassan Al Hammadi stated, “Recently, a wave of violence has erupted against the Rohingya population, particularly women, children, and elderly people. Hundreds of thousands have fled their home towns, moving afoot in search for a safer refuge in Bangladesh, just to find themselves stuck in too severe conditions. Now, they are homeless, with no food, drinking water, or access to medical care”.
“We in QRCS are particularly worried by the violations against Rohingya innocent civilians. As an internationally recognized humanitarian organization, we believe in the basic tenets of protection of civilians under the Geneva Conventions and relevant instruments. We cite the ideals and values preached by all religions in relation to mercifulness, nonaggression, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence,” said Al Hammadi.
According to him, QRCS adopts a comprehensive approach to the Rohingya crisis dating back to 2012, when a representation office was opened to conduct education, health care, environmental sanitation, productive, and other development projects that would improve living standards.
The Secretary-General called upon the international community to take every possible diplomatic and humanitarian measure to ensure stability in the region.
“Again, the government and people of Qatar have stood up to their humanitarian and ethical responsibility, showing sympathy with and support for the affected population. We are sure that the generous Qatari benefactors will take the initiative and back our life-saving relief efforts. Thousands of Rohingya refugees are expecting a too cold winter, with nowhere to go and nothing to eat,” he added.
Al Hammadi revealed a $500,000 donation from Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD). “This is not something new for QFFD,” he stressed. “It is new evidence of our bilateral strategic partnership for the service of vulnerable people everywhere”.
