QRCS calls for support of equal vaccination against Covid-19

Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS)'s executive director of the International Relief and Development Sector, Faisal Mohamed al-Emadi, has invited everyone to participate in the #IAmVaccinatedIDonated campaign launched by the QRCS recently, which aims to raise $100mn in donations, in co-operation with several local and international vaccination efforts.

World Refugee Day (June 20) marks the 70th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, a multilateral treaty that has set the standard for providing a solid foundation for international protection of refugees against discrimination and violation of their human rights.However, the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has exposed the reality that refugees are not receiving the protection they deserved.The number of displaced persons in the world has reached a record high of 82mn people, suffering from difficult humanitarian conditions, with the pandemic further complicating their health, social and economic situation, the QRCS said in a statement.According to a recent study published by *The Lancet medical journal, most refugees face vaccine inequality while 86% of refugees living in low- and middle-income countries have not been able to achieve their goals because of political motives, with the Covax – the global initiative aimed at equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines – shipping only 87mn doses to 131 countries, well below the 172mn that should have been done, the statement notes.Ten countries have administered 75% of all Covid-19 vaccines, but in poor countries, even healthcare workers and vulnerable people cannot access them.Of the more than 2bn doses of Covid-19 vaccine administered worldwide so far, the Covax initiative was responsible for only less than 4%."The campaign is continuing and is needed more now than ever, especially as fears of the virus's transformation continue and its effects on people continue," said al-Emadi, adding: "The world has agreed that the only solution to save lives from Covid-19 and return to normal life is vaccination, and we call on society to contribute to this noble humanitarian campaign, which is a form of saving lives, especially in the face of unequal opportunities.""If vaccination is an option for some, it is an option for others, millions of people in need dream of acquiring it,” he added. “As they hold on to life, we continue to give the generous donations of philanthropists that we are accustomed to in every humanitarian appeal.”“How we donate will limit the spread of this deadly disease and contribute to saving lives," al-Emadi continued. "Hope to return to normal life, which has become a dream for the whole world."