December #, 2015 ― Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has recently commenced the winterization of poor Palestinian families in Lebanon, with a total budget of $160,000 (QR 582,000), under the annual Warm Winter program that helps many poorest families in needy countries. Funded by QRCS and implemented in cooperation with the Irshad & Islah Islamic Beneficent Association in Lebanon, the project involves (1) distributing 10,000 jackets to the students of UNRWA schools at a cost of $120,000, and (2) distributing 31,000 liters of heating oil (100 liters per family) at a cost of $31,000, plus logistics and administrative expenses.
Distribution has already begun in three schools of Beqaa, as well as four schools and one kindergarten in Tyre.
Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon lack the minimum basic needs, which is even worsened by the cold winter. Humanitarian aid is mostly directed to the Syrian refugees. Every day, Palestinian deaths are reported due to the severe conditions inside camps, especially in the poorest and coldest areas. They are desperate for warmth and protection against freezing to death or frostbite amputation.
Lebanon hosts more than 500,000 Palestinians living in a tragic economic, environmental, health, and social situation, to be added to unemployment, inhuman living conditions, and inadequate houses to withstand the rain and snow of the winter.
The purpose of this project is to reduce the suffering of destitute Palestinians by securing heating in a way that preserves their dignity, alleviate the pains of patients and old/disabled people, promote solidarity and compassion, and psychologically support the victims of this calamity. A large number of Palestinian refugee camps and communities are targeted in Tyre, Sidon, Beirut, Tripoli, Baalbek, and Beqaa.
The beneficiaries were selected in coordination with the community leaders and Irshad & Islah local representatives. The criteria of selection included: Palestinian students of UNRWA schools, families in cold areas, people with disabilities and special needs, old men and women with no breadwinner, patients, and families with many children.
This project is part of QRCS's Warm Winter campaign for 2015-2016, which is providing QR 11 million worth of winter aid for more than 200,000 beneficiaries in Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon (Syrian and Palestinian refugees), Jordan (Syrian refugees), and Kurdistan (Syrian refugees).
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About Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS)
Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is a humanitarian charitable 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 (IFRC) in Geneva, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 189 national societies. QRCS is also a member of several Gulf, Arab, and Islamic assemblies, such as: the Islamic Committee of International Crescent and the Secretariat-General of the Arab Organization of Red Crescent and Red Cross. 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 charitable or philanthropic organizations.
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. As a reflection of its long-standing accomplishments and credibility, QRCS's Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Al-Maadheed, is former Vice-President of the IFRC.
Qatar Red Crescent works under the umbrella of the seven international humanitarian principles: Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
For more information about Qatar Red Crescent, please contact Mr. Fareed Adnan, Head of Media Affairs, Communication Department, Tel.: +974 5583 7338, email: fareed@qrcs.org.qa.
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