Officials at the HMC event. Right: A physician representing the Filipino staff.
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has granted emergency leave to its Somali and Filipino staff who need to check on their families back home.
A fund-raising event has also been held at HMC to support the campaign, “Qatar Solidarity Day with the People of Somalia and the Philippines”, as part of the efforts led by Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) and other major charitable organisations in Qatar to provide relief to the victims of natural disasters in both countries.
The event started with a written speech delivered by HMC executive director Ali al-Khater on behalf of HMC managing director Dr Hanan al-Kuwari.
In her written remarks to the staff, al-Kuwari said HMC works relentlessly to contribute to both social and relief initiatives led by Qatar to alleviate the sufferings of people around the globe, with a focus on the recent disasters in the two counties.
Al-Khater pointed out that HMC is working closely with all charities in Qatar to alleviate the sufferings of people in Somalia and the Philippines, whose expatriate communities have played a great role in the development of Qatar.
“Qatar is mobilising efforts to support the people of Somalia and the Philippines in co-ordination with all local charities,” said Dr Yusif al-Moslimani, medical director at Hamad General Hospital. “Members of the Somali and Filipino communities are an integral part of HMC’s workforce. We stand together to get over this difficult period. Therefore, HMC has decided to give them leave to check on their family members.”
QRC public affairs adviser Adel al-Baker expressed confidence in all supporters and charities that focus their work on the relief of vulnerable communities and humanitarian services. He highlighted the organisational side of relief campaigns and that five committees are working in an orchestrated manner to facilitate communication with donors and offices abroad.
Qatar Relief Alliance encompasses five major charities: QRC, Sheikh Eid Charity, RAF Foundation, Al Asmakh Charity and Qatar Charity.
The charities launched Solidarity Day events to raise relief aid and donations for victims of the typhoon and cyclone that struck the Philippines and Somalia, respectively.
Fund-raising events have started at several locations, including HMC, Villaggio and Landmark malls, with live broadcasting by Al Rayyan TV, Qatar TV, Al Jazeera Mubasher-live, Qatar Radio, Qatar Qur’an and Sout Al Khaleej Radio.
The campaign caps Qatar’s relief efforts for typhoon-hit provinces of the Philippines, where around 3,982 people have been killed, and Somalia’s Puntland region, where more than 300 people are feared killed by cyclone and flooding that have also left thousands of livestock dead.
