QRCS delegation in Lebanon to supervise aid distribution

A Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) delegation aboard the Qatari Amiri Air Force aircraft arrived in Beirut, carrying a new shipment of humanitarian aid to support people affected by the recent military escalation in Lebanon.

The delegation includes Dr Mohamed Salah Ibrahim, director of Relief and International Programmes Division; Mohamed Ahmed al-Bishri, director of Communication and Fundraising Division; and a specialist relief team to supervise aid processing.

They met Mohamed Kahil, acting head of QRCS’ office in Lebanon; Nasser al-Qahtani, chargé d’affaires of the Qatar embassy in Lebanon; Dr Nabil Itani from the Lebanese Red Cross; and Hisham Fawaz, advisor to Lebanon’s Minister of Public Health (MoPH).

The meeting finalised all customs clearing procedures for the shipment, including 42 tonnes of medications, medical supplies, and equipment to be delivered to the hospitals of Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health and the Lebanese Red Cross, the two strategic partners in QRCS’ relief and development activities for refugees and the host community.

Together with Kahil, the delegation visited Georges Kettaneh, secretary-general of the Lebanese Red Cross. They emphasised QRCS’ full support for their bilateral strategic partnership, especially in relation to the ongoing emergency response.

Another meeting was held with Lebanon’s Minister of Public Health Dr Firass Abiad, discussing QRCS’ current key emergency interventions, as well as the projects jointly implemented with Lebanon’s MoPH.

The delegation visited Lebanon’s Government Palace to meet Dr Nasser Yassin, co-ordinator of the Government Emergency Committee, tackling the most urgent needs to be met by QRCS and the Lebanese Red Cross.

From day one, QRCS responded to the critical humanitarian situation in Lebanon, by allocating QR1mn from its Disaster Response Fund for the initial emergency intervention, providing food and non-food items for 1,000 displaced families.

Together with Qatar ambassador to Lebanon Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and senior Lebanese government officials, QRCS’ personnel in Lebanon received HE Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohamed Alkhater, Minister of State for International Co-operation, during her visit to Lebanon to inaugurate the Qatari humanitarian airlift.

In recent weeks, the team received several Qatari relief shipments airlifted to Beirut. These shipments contained medical supplies, food, and shelter materials to urgently assist the Lebanese people facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

Under phase one of its emergency response in Lebanon, QRCS and the Lebanese Red Cross distributed blankets, mattresses, food, hygiene supplies, and drinking water to 5,675 displaced and affected people in Aley, Chouf, and other districts of Mount Lebanon.

At the same time, preparations are in progress to launch phase three of the emergency response, at a cost of QR5mn. It will involve distributing diverse food parcels and securing potable water for 27,500 affected families.

These interventions are in line with the essential needs identified in the emergency appeal co-issued by the Lebanese Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.