Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide lifesaving medical support worth $4mn for Syrian children and women under the Quest Health Initiative.
The agreement was signed by QFFD director-general Khalifa bin Jassem al-Kuwari and QRCS secretary-general Ali bin Hassan al-Hammadi at a ceremony attended by officials from both parties.
“We value the ongoing efforts by our strategic partner, QRCS, to make these projects possible in spite of the complicated situation on the ground. We at QFFD are proud of our partnership with QRCS in providing aid across the board, towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and comprehensive development of needy countries”, al-Kuwari said.
“This support falls under the Quest Health Initiative, a programme launched by QFFD to help our affected Syrian brothers and sisters both in Syria and in the host neighbouring countries,” he said. “We seek to build their capacity to withstand the impact of the crisis, establish peace and justice, and ensure a better future for them”.
Al-Kuwari noted that the project is related to the health sector, a main focus of QFFD. It is important not only because it provides primary health care services, but also because it focuses on medical support and capacity-building to save the lives of Syrian children and women.
Al-Hammadi commended the strategic partnership between QRCS and QFFD, which grew over the years and translated into numerous humanitarian interventions in countries affected by disasters and conflicts.
These operations he noted, helped millions of affected and displaced persons and made a difference in their lives, particularly in Middle-East countries like Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Iraq.
“This project is inspired by the State of Qatar’s firm commitment towards our Syrian brothers and sisters,” he said. “It builds on QRCS’s humanitarian contributions for the benefit of displaced Syrians and the Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries”.
According to al-Hammadi, this co-operation reflects QFFD’s trust in QRCS’s capabilities, expertise, and standing as a part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Regarding the importance of the project, al-Hammadi said: “It addresses the terrible humanitarian conditions suffered by the Syrians in Idlib Governorate, the serious lack of medical and specialist professionals due to the prolonged Syrian conflict, and the need for better health care and health information management systems, under the Quest Initiative for urgent relief of the displaced Syrians.”
