Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), together with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, marks World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement commemorates every year on May 8, the birth date of the Movement’s founder, Henry Dunant.
This year’s celebration is in recognition of the heroic actions of 14mn volunteers in 192 national societies around the world, and in recognition of the sacrifices they make in order to help humanity and help people overcome suffering and pain.
In Qatar, volunteerism is an integral part of the life of society, as it is a well-established feature of the patriarchal heritage, and an inextricable link between its past and present. While Qatar has been supporting the oppressed and has been a beacon of humanitarian action around the world, the first tributary of all of these are those young men and women who have spared their effort and time in support of the values and ideals that are inherent in the ancient Qatari culture and the teachings of the true Islamic religion.
The QRCS, as the first voluntary humanitarian organisation established in Qatar in 1978, embodies in its work and mission the seven basic principles of international humanitarian action, such as humanity, neutrality, impartiality, independence, and volunteer service, unity and universality.
All that the QRCS implements of humanitarian projects and programmes, and what it provides of assistance and services, is voluntary, free of charge and non-profit giving, implemented by the staff and volunteers with dedication and self-denial, and for the sole purpose of drawing a smile on the faces, reviving hope and helping the needy.
While Qatar and the world as a whole are fighting to confront the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), the role of medical and voluntary cadres emerges as the first line of defence for mankind.
On the occasion of the International Day of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the QRCS praised staff and volunteers who contribute to any aspect of humanitarian and charitable work.
The QRCS also valued the efforts of partner and support institutions, led by the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the Primary Health Care Corp, Hamad Medical Corp, the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management and the Government Communication Office, expressing their thanks to them for the effort and support they provide to complete its work and mission.
The QRCS expressed its happiness with the support it provides to the health sector in the country, through holding training courses for volunteers in various languages, and the participation of doctors working in the Workers’ Health Centers run by QRCS as well as in the efforts of the Ministry of Public Health to combat the epidemic, adding in this regard that it has mobilised more than 18,000 volunteers with training in all logistical matters necessary to perform their tasks.
This is in addition to supporting those affected by the crisis inside and outside Qatar with health, food and social assistance and other humanitarian needs.
