ReliefWeb

July 4th, 2020 ― Doha: The representation mission of Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) in Yemen has recently provided medical and logistic supplies for the country’s health facilities, at a cost of $121,974. These are part of a larger scheme until the end of 2020, with a total budget of $739,162.

With $53,400 funding from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), QRCS supplied medical anesthetic equipment and vital signs monitors for the Al-Thawra Modern General Hospital.

In a visit to the hospital, a delegation of QRCS and UNHCR met Professor Abdullatif Abo Taleb, the hospital’s chairman, who emphasized QRCS’s role in extending much-needed technical and medical support to health facilities. “I would like to thank QRCS for their ongoing support,” said Prof. Abo Taleb. “They are a major contributor to Yemen’s hospitals and the only contributor to us in 2020. In partnership with UNHCR, they gave us many high-tech specialized devices that have saved many lives, amid harsh conditions and a widespread pandemic”.

These provisions, he added, saved time and effort in treating the patients and helped to have the medical examinations done at the hospital, instead of the too expensive private labs.

Dr. Hamza Al-Shibani, the project’s manager at QRCS’s mission, said the medical equipment procured for the Al-Thawra Modern General Hospital would make a big difference in the health services provided for Yemenis and refugees. “We are proud of our partnership with QRCS, which has proved a success,” said Dr. Mohamed Al-Jaloud, Health Officer at UNHCR’s country office. “It is a timely support in the face of the Coronavirus outbreak, helping both the host community and the refugees”.

He promised to continue to work on the joint projects with QRCS, expecting remarkable success.
At the same time, QRCS procured protective supplies for the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Amanat Al-Asimah, the Matnah Hospital in the Bani Matar district of Sana’a, and the quarantine facility in the Qahza area of Sa’dah.
These included $50,440 worth of sanitizers, disinfectants, detergents, and medical protective equipment.

Dr. Wafaa Al-Shibani, program manager at QRCS’s mission, stated, “There are serious shortages in the protective equipment needed to control the Coronavirus pandemic. As the authority supervising hospitals and health centers, the medical professionals of the Ministry of Public Health are particularly at risk of infection”. “We focused on the health facilities that have not received UN aid because they are located in remote areas with a high population density,” she said. “The recipient hospitals welcomed the humanitarian and brotherly role of QRCS in preventing the spread of the virus”.

With funding from the UN Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF), QRCS procured computers, printers, photocopiers, and office furniture for the Ministry of Public Health in Amanat Al-Asimah.

Dr. Al-Shibani held a meeting with Muthar Al-Marouni, Director of the Bureau of Health in Sana’a, to discuss the growing needs of the health sector due to the current situation. Mr. Al-Marouni highlighted the pressing need for support, as many humanitarian organizations stopped their activities. He thanked QRCS for continuing to conduct its humanitarian work there.

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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 191 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.