Youth, QMA reps deliver donations to typhoon victims

Following the recent conclusion of Run The World (RTW) Festival 2013, representatives of Qatar-based social enterprise, The Youth Company (TYC), and the Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) have travelled to the Philippines to offer the in-kind donations and funds collected from RTW’s charity campaign, in partnership with Qatar Charity to support the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.According to a recent report by the Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the storm that struck in November last year was said to be the worst in the history of the country.Typhoon Haiyan clamed the lives of more than 6,000, injuring more than 27,000, leaving nearly 1,800 missing, and forcing a staggering 3.9mn from their homes.QMA community outreach manager Mohamed Farid and TYC deputy chief executive Abdulrahman Sajid were in the journey to Manila, Northern Cebu, and Tacloban, the main cities of the Philippines and the areas where most of the victims affected by the typhoon have found shelter.They also touched base at the refugee camps in the province of Cebu.During the week-long visit, Farid and Sajid were given the opportunity to interact with the communities that were affected, hearing their stories and handing over more than two tonnes of donated clothing, supplies, funds and other materials that were collected during the RTW festival at Katara Beach, Doha, which took place between December 19 and 21.“The coastal regions were the most affected areas, and though the storm hit more than almost two months ago, the areas remain desolated. “It could take more than months, years, to repair the damage; what used to be the homes of countless people. Whatever aid can be given at this difficult period will be greatly appreciated by the affected community,” said a guide at the Cebu camp.The goal to raise donations and funds for the Philippines is one that makes the third edition of RTW unique and much more than a regional youth sports festival.Initiated in the year 2011, RTW festival chiefly explores themes of healthy and active lifestyles for youth all around the Mena region, but also encourages youth to be actively responsible citizens within their own and global communities, such as participation in charity campaigns and drives.TYC aims to further engage young people in similar activation, and will be organising a cultural exchange and volunteering programme later in 2014 for its hardest working members to participate in within the Philippines.“RTW is an exciting platform for games, competitions, performances, and various other activities, but it is also meant to be a life-changing experience for young people, in terms of cultural interaction, and above all, community outreach. The journey we’ve taken here to the Philippines, being in these communities, witnessing their hardships, and to be able to lend a hand to them is an unforgettable experience, and we look forward to getting more youths involved as well in supporting this disaster for the new year,” said Farid at the Cebu camp.As an annual initiative of The Youth Company in partnership with the Qatar Olympic & Sports Museum, under the Qatar Museums Authority, RTWF 2013 is sponsored by a number of corporate bodies and associations, including Sports Corner, Doha Insurance, Queen Medical, and Nasser Bin Khaled.The event is also supported by Qatar Charity, Al Anis Trading, Qatar Airways, Williams F1, Virgin Megastore, Qatar Sports Leagues, Fitness First, Al Isteklal, Oryx Advertising Company, I Love Qatar, Qatar International Tours, Sound on Wheels, and Coca-Cola.