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QRCS supports Coronavirus control efforts in 22 countries [EN/AR]

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September 21st, 2020 ― Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is working on its large-scale project to support Coronavirus control efforts for the benefit of 320,000 people in 22 countries (Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Laos, Ethiopia, Chad, Senegal, Mauritania, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Sierra Leone, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Venezuela, El Salvador, Peru, Panama, and Vanuatu.

In Palestine, QRCS’s representation mission in the West Bank and Jerusalem is working together with Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to provide medications, equipment, and medical consumables, to enable the host National Society in reducing the spread of the virus across the Palestinian cities and towns.

The medical aid to be supplied to hospitals and health centers is valued at $40,000, with estimated 8,500 beneficiaries per month. More than 5,000 packages of diverse medications have already been delivered to the warehouses of PRCS.

Currently, 13 vital signs monitors are being procured to be installed in the ambulance vehicles engaged in the COVID-19 emergency response. Also, medical supplies are provided to support the medical personnel of PRCS’s ambulance services fighting the Coronavirus, thus lighten the burden on the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MOH).

The technical specifications of equipment have been designated to initiate the purchase order, through a public tender. The received bids would be examined and evaluated by the technical committee, which would then submit recommendations to the central committee for final awarding.

All the procedures of purchasing medications and medical supplies have been finalized to meet the needs of PRCS, as per the same tendering process.

This is in response to the level-3 state of emergency announced by PRCS amid a recent jump in numbers of Coronavirus infections. PRCS is the organization responsible for providing emergency care services in relation to transportation and admission to hospitals in the West Bank. Its scattered premises are utilized as quarantine and isolation facilities, in coordination with MOH.

In Tirana, the capital of Albania, an agreement was signed with the Albanian Red Cross (ARC) to implement a project to help the families financially affected by the lockdown. In cooperation with national authorities, the preparation of lists of beneficiaries is in progress. The food items are in the process of purchase, in conformity with the tendering regulations of QRCS and ARC.

Targeting 700 families (or 3,500 persons), the project involves distributing food baskets at a total cost of $20,000 to meet their needs. The beneficiaries were selected based on certain criteria, including older persons, patients, poor families, unemployed family breadwinners, and earthquake-affected families.

In Peru, 60% of protective items, control equipment, and sanitizers have already been procured, to be co-distributed by the Peruvian Red Cross in hygiene kits. The process will be completed within two weeks, and public awareness programs will be launched to promote COVID-19 preventive and health practices.

One more country to benefit from the project is Panama, where QRCS is supporting the Peruvian Red Cross with a $20,000 pickup truck to be used in the pandemic control operations. In Venezuela, $20,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) would be supplied to the Venezuelan Red Cross.

Other parts of the project are underway as follows:

  • Kosovo: food baskets and hygiene kits for 271 families in 26 municipalities.

  • Nepal: enhancement of COVID-19 preparedness and response measures in 21 districts.

  • Sierra Leone: preventive supplies (jerrycans, waste containers, soaps, hand sanitizers, and public hand washing tanks), public informative materials, and media information shows will be produced for the benefit of 103,311 persons in Freetown, Bombali, and Koinadugu, at a total cost of $20,000. ##End of Text##

About Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS)

Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is a humanitarian volunteering organization that aims to assist and empower vulnerable individuals and communities without partiality or discrimination.

QRCS is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 191 National Societies. QRCS is also a member of several GCC, Arab, and Islamic organizations, such as the Islamic Committee of International Crescent and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO). In this legally recognized capacity, QRCS has access to disaster and conflict zones, thus serving as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its humanitarian efforts — a role that distinguishes it from other local charities and NGOs.

QRCS operates both locally and internationally and has ongoing international relief and development projects in a number of countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. QRCS's humanitarian actions include providing support in disaster preparedness, disaster response, risk reduction, and disaster recovery. To mitigate the impact of disasters and improve the livelihoods of affected populations, QRCS provides medical services, healthcare, and social development to local communities. It is also active at the humanitarian advocacy front. With the help of a vast network of trained, committed staff and volunteers, QRCS aspires to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.

QRCS works under the umbrella of the seven international humanitarian principles: Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.