Unified GCC Humanitarian Efforts
Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has signed an MoU with Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) to help the affected by the 5-year Syrian conflict, as part of the unified Syria relief efforts agreed upon during the meetings of senior Red Crescent officials at the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The MoU was signed by Mr. Saleh bin Ali Al-Mohannadi, QRCS Secretary-General, and Dr. Mosaed Alenzi on behalf of Dr. Helal Musaed Al-Sayer, KRCS President.
The MoU involves health care and winter relief projects for the Syrians in Lebanon, including the provision of heating oil, blankets, and medicines; winterization at refugee camps; and refinement of three water wells to produce 50,000 liters of drinking water per day. These projects will serve as many as 4,000 displaced Syrian families.
Another project will medically check Syrian children for cancer, as early diagnosis can maximize the benefit from available treatments. It will be executed in partnership with the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Beirut.
The $350,000 projects will be funded by KRCS, while QRCS will undertake the purchase and distribution of humanitarian aid, in coordination with the Lebanese Red Cross.
Commenting on the signing, Mr. Al-Mohannadi said, "This agreement reflects the commitment of the two parties to their humanitarian mission of alleviating the suffering of the distressed naturally or economically distressed, particularly the Syrian families in Lebanon and the lamenting cold winter. We are inspired by the fundamental Red Cross and Red Crescent principles to promote GCC Red Cross cooperation."
Mr. Alenzi noted that GCC Red Crescent societies have several major relief projects that can be conducted jointly for more effective results.
These projects are the product of the visit by GCC Red Crescent representatives to Lebanon to meet with humanitarian players there, review the living conditions of the Syrian refugees, identify humanitarian gaps, and outlining projects to meet their needs.