October 23rd, 2017 ― Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Arsal Municipality and the Medical Islamic Association to provide equipment for a charity medical unit in Arsal, Bekaa Region, east of Lebanon.
The project would upgrade primary health care to include high-quality medical and follow-up, helping fill the gap in medical services available for the Syrian refugees and the host community.
The agreement was signed in Beirut by Dr. Mahmoud Al-Sayed, Chairman of the Medical Islamic Association, Bassel Al-Hajiri, Chairman of Arsal Municipality, and Hussein Hamdan, Programme Manager at QRCS's Mission in Lebanon.
Dr. Al-Sayed saw the project as a precious opportunity to join hands with QRCS, which is a leading helper of the Syrian and Palestinian refugees, the Lebanese community, and all vulnerable people around the world.
"Human service is our main focus, particularly in Arsal, a frontier town with inadequate health and social services. This blessed move would meet the pressing needs by furnishing this vital dispensary. We hope this cooperation would continue to improve living standards in the region," he added.
Mr. Al-Hajiri commended the charity agreement. "QRCS is one of the biggest humanitarian service providers in Arsal, both for the local community and the Syrian brothers. QRCS's personnel have proved considerably helpful in emergencies and relief interventions. They provide the basic needs of refugees on a regular basis," he said.
The municipal official also appreciated the efforts of the Medical Islamic Association in medical and ambulatory services. He described the new dispensary as an invaluable and welcomed humanitarian contribution, promising to provide every help possible.
Mr. Hamdan stated, "Since the establishment of QRCS's Mission in Lebanon, health services have always been crucial in Arsal. Today, we create a specialist center to offer high-quality and world-standard health care. This is a life-saving advancement for many patients, particularly pregnant women, children, and elderly people".
"We work hand in hand to serve the host community and Syrian refugees. The Mission would continue its diverse relief and development projects, notably the solid waste management project to reduce pollution and diseases, and the flood control project in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Arsal Town has a top priority in our future projects," he concluded.
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About Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS)
Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is a humanitarian volunteering organization that aims to assist and empower vulnerable individuals and communities without partiality or discrimination.
QRCS is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 190 National Societies. QRCS is also a member of several GCC, Arab, and Islamic organizations, such as the Islamic Committee of International Crescent and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO). In this legally recognized capacity, QRCS has access to disaster and conflict zones, thus serving as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its humanitarian efforts — a role that distinguishes it from other local charities and NGOs.
QRCS operates both locally and internationally and has ongoing international relief and development projects in a number of countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. QRCS's humanitarian actions include providing support in disaster preparedness, disaster response, risk reduction, and disaster recovery. To mitigate the impact of disasters and improve the livelihoods of affected populations, QRCS provides medical services, healthcare, and social development to local communities. It is also active at the humanitarian advocacy front. With the help of a vast network of trained, committed staff and volunteers, QRCS aspires to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.
QRCS works under the umbrella of the seven international humanitarian principles: Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
For more information, please contact Fareed Adnan, Head of Media Affairs, Communication Department, Tel.: +974 5583 7338, email: fareed@qrcs.org.qa.