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Qatar Fund for Development signs a grant agreement with Qatar Red Crescent Society to help Rohingya people in Myanmar and Bangladesh [EN/AR]

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November 11th, 2018 ― Doha: The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) have signed a grant agreement of QR 4 million, to deliver primary and secondary health care for the Rohingya people forced to move to Bangladesh, and to provide shelter for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

The agreement was signed by Sultan Ahmed Al-Aseeri, Manager of Country Programs at QFFD, and Youssef Abdullah Al-Sada, Executive Director of QRCS.

In his remarks, Mr. Al-Aseeri, praised the effective role played by the State of Qatar, adding: "The Rohingya refugees are suffering on a daily basis to reach the most basic means of living, as their lives are constantly threatened by poverty, hunger, and disease. This support represents a new hope for them. Health care and shelter provision will ensure a long-lasting impact for those in need". "The health sector is considered a priority for the Qatar Fund for Development, as it is one of the sustainable development goals," said Mr. Al-Aseeri.

Mr. Al-Sada deeply thanked QFFD for this generous support to QRCS's relief efforts for the Rohingya people, both IDPs in Myanmar and refugees at Bangladesh border areas. "We have already worked together in response to the crisis, with $500,000 contribution from QFFD to offer life-saving shelter, food, nonfood, water, and sanitation aid," he added. "Again, I would like to stress the importance of our strategic partnership with QFFD, which reflects our government's unquestionable support for the vulnerable and affected populations everywhere," said Mr. Al-Sada. "The State of Qatar has always been, and will always remain, a staunch defender of human rights, diligently seeking the best interest of humanity. As an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its local and international humanitarian endeavors, QRCS is firmly committed to its mission of saving lives and preserving human dignity".

Under the agreement, the relief program will involve improving the living conditions at shelter camps in Myanmar, by constructing standard shelters for the displaced in the Sittwe and Kyauktaw townships of Rakhin State. To be constructed in cooperation with local partners and community-based committees, the new shelters will help protect 6,720 direct beneficiaries, as well as 33,600 indirect beneficiaries, mainly women, children, elderly people, and the poorest households.

As for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the field hospital of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) at the Palong Khali camp, Cox's Bazar, will be developed and operated to offer primary and secondary health care for around 800,000 refugees and host communities.

In addition, the international medical professionals will be replaced with local personnel. Nine medical and administrative personnel from QRCS will be assigned to supervise the project for one year, and 90 local medics will be qualified through training workshops to run the medical facility.

An agreement will be signed with IFRC, the Finnish Red Cross, and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) as funding and facilitation partners in the project.

They will pay for the remuneration of the staff, as well as replace the seven clinic tents with weather-proof, well-equipped metal caravans, with an overall area of 465 sq-m and a capacity of 60 beds.

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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.