QRCS seeks to raise $3mn for Rohingya

The Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has issued a humanitarian appeal to raise $3mn for Rohingya people who fled the genocide in their home country, seeking refuge in Bangladesh.
Under the first phase of intervention, QRCS will operate two mobile clinics, provide 5,000 hygiene kits, build 250 sanitation facilities, distribute 5,000 food packages, and 5,000 shelter kits.
Around 5,000 families (25,000 people) will benefit from this much-needed aid, according to QRCS officials.
“We are particularly worried by the violations against innocent Rohingya civilians. As an internationally recognised humanitarian organisation, we believe in the basic tenets of protection of civilians under the Geneva Conventions and relevant instruments,” QRCS secretary-general Ali Hassan al-Hammadi told a press briefing in Doha yesterday.
The event was also attended by financial resource mobilisation head Ahmed Ali al-Khulaifi and communications director Issa Mohamed al-Ishaq.
“We cite the ideals and values preached by all religions in relation to mercifulness, nonaggression, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence,” al-Hammadi said.
He recalled that QRCS adopted a comprehensive approach to the Rohingya crisis dating back to 2012, when a representation office was opened to conduct education, healthcare, environmental sanitation, productive, and other development projects to improve living standards.
The secretary-general called upon the international community “to take every possible diplomatic and humanitarian measure to ensure stability in the region.”
“Again, the government and people of Qatar have stood up to their humanitarian and ethical responsibility, showing sympathy with and support for the affected population. We are sure that the generous Qatari benefactors will take the initiative and back our life-saving relief efforts,” al-Hammadi stressed.  “Thousands of Rohingya refugees are expecting a cold winter with nowhere to go and nothing to eat.”
He said Qatar Fund for Development has mad a donation of $500,000, adding “this is not something new for QFFD.”
“It is new evidence of our bilateral strategic partnership for the service of vulnerable people everywhere”.
Al-Hammadi thanked Qatar’s ambassador to Dhaka Ahmed M al-Dehaimi for ensuring QRCS’ relief delegation currently in Bangladesh gets all facilities.
Al-Khulaifi said institutions and individuals can donate online (http://qrcs.org.qa/Arabic/Donatenow/Pages/DonateForm.aspx?CountryTitle=Burma) or via QRCS account at Barwa Bank (IBAN:
QA37BRWA000000000200000094340).  
Donors can also call or visit the QRCS headquarters (44027700), Al Khor Branch (44027883), or agents at malls and shopping centres to give their contributions. QRCS hotlines are 66666364, 66644822, and 16002.