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The growing number of Covid-19 cases among children in Qatar is due to several reasons, particularly the spread of the new mutated strains of the virus and family visits, a senior health official has said. Dr Hamad al-Rumaihi, director of the Health Protection and Communicable Diseases Control Department at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), told Qatar TV Thursdaythat the cases could also be attributed to the fact that there is less adherence to the Covid-19 precautionary measures among children, especially maintaining a safe distance from others. Besides, he added, children (under 16) are not yet eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, Dr al-Rumaihi said a person receiving one dose of the vaccine outside Qatar will be quarantined once s/he returns to Doha and there will be no exemption. "So, we recommend they complete the vaccination and then come to Qatar," he said. “Every country has priorities in the vaccination programme. In Qatar, people who get one dose from abroad will be quarantined and not be exempted from quarantine," he said, adding: "If a person receives one dose abroad, it is possible for him/her to take the second dose in Qatar, but our current priority is for citizens and residents of the country." Regarding vaccination for those who have recovered from Covid-19 infection, Dr al-Rumaihi said such a person can take the vaccine even though s/he has immunity for at least three months. “The person can decide to get vaccination before the end of this period upon recovering from the infection and getting out of quarantine after two weeks. However, if this person has received plasma and was hospitalised, the vaccination should be postponed for three months," he said. "Under the current protocol, the person can take two doses of the vaccine," Dr al-Rumaihi added, responding to a query on whether a recovered patient is to be given one dose or both doses of the vaccine. He explained that some countries and studies say one dose is sufficient. “This is currently being studied," he said, noting that the current protocol provides for giving both the doses.    

No allowances will be deducted for teachers if their Covid-19 sick leave period is seven or 14 days, Ministry of Education and Higher Education's (MoEHE) undersecretary Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh al-Nuaimi said on Thursday. “The ministry considers it as exceptional sick leave. There will not be deductions during such leave for a week or 14 days or even more if the patient is hospitalised for a longer period," he told Qatar TV's Social Distance programme. Regarding the Cabinet decision to allow 50% of the employees to work from home, Dr al-Nuaimi explained that the MoEHE and other ministries have been given exemption as their nature of work requires the presence of more employees. "The 50% decision is applied in the ministry to many employees whose work does not require their presence in school buildings. We reduced the number of teaching hours to three per day and allowed teachers to focus on imparting excellent education for students without any additional burdens." More than 80% of the administrative and teaching cadres in schools have been vaccinated, the senior official said. Regarding the requirement of teachers to be present in schools, Dr al-Nuaimi stressed that the availability of technology, including smart boards in classrooms, is very important to complete the interactive teaching-learning process.    

The National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed) of the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) helped the country save about QR300mn in 2020 by reducing energy consumption by 289 gigawatt-hours (GWh) and water by 32mn cum. Also, Tarsheed succeeded in saving an estimated 3,207mn cu ft of gas and reducing 0.4mn tonne of carbon emission, as highlighted yesterday by Kahramaa at an online press conference in the presence of president Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari and Tarsheed president Abdulaziz al-Hammadi. Al-Kuwari recalled that Tarsheed was established in line with diversification of energy sources and adoption of sustainability systems in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Second National Development Strategy 2018-2022. "Tarsheed’s efforts aim to efficiently and effectively manage the vital resources of Qatar,” he noted adding that the efforts continue to spread the culture and methods of energy efficiency. A number of important initiatives were implemented in 2020. These include the application of regulations and standards for the use of resources in various sectors and the initiative for energy efficiency standards for air-conditioners in addition to the introduction of the first project in Qatar for a photovoltaic station with a system energy storage for charging electric cars. The initiative to reduce electricity and water consumption in the residential sector by 5% was recently launched. Al-Hammadi noted that Tarsheed has accomplished technical and awareness initiatives and implemented many innovative solutions and projects. These include a number of infrastructure models for electric vehicle charging stations, including the first photovoltaic station project with the energy storage system in Qatar. “There is a programme in co-operation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications to launch the first electric passenger bus and its charging stations and to establish the strategic infrastructure for the charging stations in the country in a bid to encourage the use of environmentally friendly means of transport and contribute to a significant reduction in carbon emissions,” he said. Tarsheed's most recent initiative to reduce electricity and water consumption in the residential sector by 5% is closely related to the sustainability goals of Qatar and the 17 global strategic goals in accordance with the Paris Agreement signed by Qatar to reduce its carbon emission and combat climate change. Al-Hammadi urged all sections of the society to co-operate in order to achieve desired results through the initiative. ends...    

About 98.4% of the people who have received the Covid-19 vaccine have not been infected with the virus, a senior health official has said. Only about 1.5% of those vaccinated got infected either after the first or second dose, Dr Muna al-Maslamani, medical director of the Communicable Disease Center at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), told Qatar TV on Monday. This was observed by monitoring about 400,000 vaccinated people from the start of the vaccination programme until March 28, she said. Dr al-Maslamani said the Pfizer/BionTech and Moderna vaccines, according to the manufacturers, are effective against the new mutated strains from the UK and South Africa, but more studies are needed in this regard. Regarding the duration of the effectiveness of vaccines, she said preliminary study indicate that the effectiveness of vaccines in forming antibodies lasts for six months. "But I do not expect their effectiveness to stop after this period, because the companies are following up on vaccinated patients and conducting studies. We are awaiting the outcomes of these studies which will answer questions, including whether to extend the effectiveness of vaccines to one year or not, and if it is possible for Covid-19 to turn into a seasonal virus like seasonal influenza and thus require an annual vaccine," she added. She also called on people who have recovered from Covid-19 to donate plasma through the Communicable Disease Center to treat other coronavirus patients. “We face a shortage of plasma and are in need of donors, as acute cases in intensive care require plasma therapy, especially those who suffer from liver or kidney ailments," she added.

  *Act responsibly to reduce cases; we are still in the middle of the second wave of Covid-19: Dr al-Khal If everyone takes responsibility and acts appropriately over the next two to four weeks, Qatar can begin to see a decline in Covid-19 cases and consider easing of some of the restrictions, senior health official Dr Abdullatif al-Khal said Wednesday. "The announcement of new restrictions, just one week before the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan, will be difficult for many people, but as always, as individuals and as a community, we have the will and the power to suppress the spread of the virus like we did the first time," he told a press conference. The chair of the National Strategic Group on Covid-19 and head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation cautioned that "if we fail to play our part in following the restrictions and preventive measures, and cases continue to rise, we may need to escalate the restrictions further." Dr al-Khal assured that despite the rise in the number of people requiring hospital admission, the healthcare system has sufficient capacity to ensure everyone who needs medical care can receive it without delay. "Despite the strict quarantine policy in place for all travellers, the UK and South African strains have arrived in Qatar causing more severe symptoms than the original strain. "We believe the South Africa variant has had a significant impact on the rise of Covid-19 cases in the past 10 days. "During the past two weeks, we have seen a significant increase in the number of new daily Covid-19 cases and we have recorded more than 900 new cases each day over the past few days," he pointed out. "Of particular concern is the high number of people in intensive care. This figure is now significantly higher than at the peak of the first wave last year. Most of the cases are reported from professionals and due to social visits. "Hospital admissions are increasingly reported compared to the first wave and more deaths too during the last few days. There is a significant increase in the number of intensive care and hospital admission, due to the emergence of new strains. 'We are still in the middle of the second wave of the Covid-19 and not reached the peak of infections yet. The South African strain had a great impact on the increase in the number of cases of Covid-19 during the past 10 days. "During the past week, 1,468 new patients were admitted to the hospital due to the presence of severe inflammation in the lungs, and 266 cases were admitted to ICU. "Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been proven effective against the South African and the UK strains. The rate of testing positive among those who have symptoms has increased to 30%. Among those in contact it has reached 11%. This is a high rate. Dr al-Khal also cited the achievement of one million doses of vaccination Wednesday. About 25,000 people are being vaccinated daily. A total of 26% of adults and 77% of people over 60 years have received the first dose. The senior official recalled that at the start of the year when the number of cases began to rise steadily, Qatar acted quickly to introduce further restrictions . "These restrictions proved effective at suppressing the spread of the virus for many weeks and the number of new daily infections remained steady. "However, the introduction of the UK variant into the community in March saw further increases in cases and notably hospitalisations and we responded with further restrictions. "The latest development in this pandemic of the circulation of the South African variant has meant we are once again moving quickly to further increase the restrictions," he added.

The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), represented by the National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed), on Wednesday launched its new initiative to reduce water and electricity consumption by 5% in the residential sector. Making the announcement, Tarsheed president engineer Abdulaziz al-Hammadi said the objective is to obtain the reduction in consumption by using practical and available solutions at the lowest possible cost. The initiative contributes to Qatar National Vision 2030 by raising awareness, endorsing rationalisation techniques and promoting responsible consumer behaviour with detailed follow-up techniques being implemented to provide customers with support and guarantee long-term results. The initiative will be implemented in 2021 and 2022 in four basic phases. It’s designed according to the consumption pattern and housing type for everyone who takes part. The first phase which involves introducing the initiative, its goals, expected results, and filling out the residential consumption questionnaire, will be carried from April 11, 2021 to May 20, 2021. To be run from May 20, 2021 to July 31, 2021, the second stage is to analyse the results of the questionnaires and launch an interactive platform on the Tarsheed page on the Kahramaa website to follow up on the participants on how to reduce 5% of the electricity and water consumption in every home. During the third phase, from August 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022, an interactive platform through an electronic application will be launched. This will provide a plan designed for each subscriber to achieve the efficiency of electricity and water use specifically in each house and according to the number of electrical appliances and the quality of water tools. The fourth phase will be run from February 1, 2022 to March 1, 2022 while evaluating the previous phases. Results of the initiative will be announced during this phase. "We expect that this initiative will achieve effective results in the case of saving electricity by 5%, which is estimated at about 600 gigawatts per hour. In the case of saving 5% of water it’s about 11mn cu m. This will help the country achieve savings estimated at about QR 212 mn,” al-Hammadi said. The questionnaire is available on Kahramaa’s website. Engineer Mohamed Khalid al-Sharshani, head of the technical section at Tarsheed, said intensified awareness campaigns will be carried out with the support of media and social media in order to yield best results.

* Number of participating schools reaches 56 The number of schools taking part in the Qatar Beautification and Our Kids Planting Trees campaign within the Plant Million Trees initiative has reached 56. According to the latest figures available with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), the total number of planted trees has reached 367,386 with more than 800 students taking part in the initiative. The participants have planted trees at various parks, project sites and on building premises and streets. The campaign launched in September 2019 aims to afforest various areas while continuing until the end of 2021. According to Ashghal, the campaign has so far covered various localities within Doha along with places in Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipality. Also, campaigns have been held so far in Al Sheehaniya, Al Rayyan, Al Nasraniyya and Al Wakra, while trees have been planted at Al Watiyyat Interchange within the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, 5/6 Park, Al Abraj Park, Al Ebb Park, Al Furousiya Street, Al Jamiaa Street Development Project, Al Karaana Lagoon, Qatar Foundation and Khalifa Street. The Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar is implementing the Qatar Beautification and Our Kids Planting Trees campaign. The committee works under the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, in co-ordination with several ministries and other entities such as the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Culture and Sports, Qatar Museums, Qatar Rail, Private Engineering Office and others. The committee is responsible for five major tasks, including the construction of central public parks, provision of dedicated lanes for pedestrians and bicycles, development of the Doha Corniche and Central Doha and increasing afforestation and green areas. The committee’s work will enhance sustainability through minimising environmental pollution and reducing the emission of CO2 through reduced consumption of energy resources. It also focuses on the provision of more public transport options aiming at reduced use of private cars and improving lifestyle through clean and safe transportation. Further, it is intended to ensure a healthy environment within residential neighbourhoods and places of public gatherings through increased afforestation and landscaping, which will greatly help in reducing the temperature in cities. Ashghal has urged institutions, organisations and companies to take part in the initiative. They can register at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/810bcdb629974cbe9bead086985e3a70?portalUrl=https://geodev.ashghal.gov.qa/devportal.  

Abdul Raoof Pallipparambil, a financial adviser passionate about social work, is making a difference in society by spreading awareness of government schemes in India and promoting financial literacy among Indian expatriates. Better known as Raoof Kondotty, he is a familiar face in discussions about welfare schemes offered by India's central and state governments. He has 400 seminars to his credit and also volunteers with various organisations to raise awareness and help the needy benefit from such schemes. These are in addition to regularly attending TV and radio programmes and writing for newspapers. Raoof is usually busy holding awareness seminars and discussions, preparing notes, sharing expert opinions and monitoring schemes meant for expatriates' welfare. “Expatriates in India often allege a raw deal from the authorities back home instead of benefiting from the existing schemes. I did an initial study in 2014-2015 and found that the utilisation rate of expatriate welfare funds was very poor. I found a lack of resource persons whom the needy could approach to get guidance while applying for government assistance. I then decided to intervene and various organisations helped me reach the expatriates while making them aware of the issue," Raoof said. He informed that the utilisation rate of funds offered through some schemes by the Kerala state government in India, for instance, reached 96% following intensive awareness campaigns. If a scheme is announced and the draft is prepared, Raoof volunteers to keep a close watch on the same and come up with suggestions. When the scheme is launched, he understands the mechanism of how to avail of it and prepares a note that is shared in seminars and through his social media accounts, where the messages are circulated among thousands. “Completing the application for assistance is quite simple," he said. But lack of awareness prevents people from doing so and this often leads to the wrong notion that accessing government schemes is a tough job, he added. Raoof attends several calls a day from early in the morning, talking to expatriates about the steps involved in making various applications or securing certificates. What he gets in return are 'thank you' calls or voice messages from people, noting that their requirements were fairly met. Raoof has a habit of carefully monitoring anything that is announced by the central and state governments in India for the welfare of the Indian diaspora. Sources in miniseries and government departments often help him obtain data related to various schemes. “I study the proposed bills and make my suggestions. Also, I listen to what transpires at the sessions of the Indian Parliament and state assemblies when discussions are held or issues are raised about expatriate welfare. Anything related to expat welfare enthuses me," he said. Raoof's passion for service was instilled in the 1980s when his father Ahmed Kutty wanted his children to help local residents fill up applications for ration cards and school admission. A schoolteacher at Thurakkal village in Malappuram district of Kerala, Raoof's father also worked as an Imam in a nearby mosque and as a teacher at a madrasa. “He wanted to make a change while helping people. I started to learn from him while I was 10 years old," he recalled. Raoof is also an expert on Qatar's labour law and has completed various online courses from the International Organisation for Migration, International Labour Organisation and World Bank. An expert on the Global Compact for Migration, he has actively pursued issues faced by air passengers and spread awareness about Customs rules and passenger compensations while giving inputs for government budgets on expatriate welfare. Participating in activities of organisations affiliated to the Indian embassy in Qatar, he has received several recognitions. These include Best Social Worker Award in the Indian community, a special appreciation award from the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (Norka) department of the Kerala government, Best Social Worker Award in the Kerala community and Best Expat Welfare Activist award by the Global Educational Organisation. He is a member of Loka Kerala Sabha and the Indian Community Benevolent Forum sub-committee for insurance, a convener of the Norka helpline in Qatar, country head of Pravasi Legal Cell and organising secretary of the Gulf Air Passengers' Association.  

* Public advised on various security issues at MoI virtual awareness seminar The public is obliged to strictly adhere to the measures put in place by the authorities to prevent the spread of Covid-19, an official has said, stressing that violators will face action that includes fines and imprisonment. New Covid-19 restrictions, as announced by the Cabinet on Wednesday, come into effect today. Lt Mashari Abdul Rahman Jameel al-Shammari, search and investigation officer at the Criminal Investigation Department, made the observations while addressing a virtual awareness seminar organised by the Ministry of Interior (MoI)'s Public Relations Department on Thursday. The seminar on ‘Prevention is Better than Cure’ was organised as part of a series of awareness programmes for communities in Qatar. Representatives from various companies and communities attended it. Noting that security is a collective responsibility, Lt al-Shammari shared tips on how to secure vehicles and protect houses, complexes and personal belongings such as the QID and credit and debit cards. He also cautioned against falling victim to various kinds of cheating. “Don't leave the doors or windows of a vehicle open. Don't leave any valuables or sums of money inside a vehicle while it is parked in a public place,” he said, asking the public not to leave unoccupied vehicles running, even if it is for a short while, to prevent thefts. He also advised that attention be paid to every stranger who may come to work in the house or on the premises of a company, whether temporarily or permanently. "Be vigilant to the suspicious and unjustified behaviour of workers inside the company. Inform neighbours or relatives while leaving the home. Ensure that the entire home is secured, and if possible, by installing alarms and surveillance cameras,” he said. Lt al-Shammari said people dealing with bank transactions should be alert. "Keep cash and valuables in hard­-to-reach places inside the home or company premises and don’t neglect them,” he said, advising people to take receipts while purchasing valuables. He also said whoever is found in a drunken state and engaging in indecent acts on public roads will face imprisonment of six months and a fine not exceeding QR3,000, adding that the import, export, sale and promotion of alcohol will be penalised with a jail term of three years and a fine of up to QR10,000. He also cautioned the public against becoming a victim of people impersonating police officers. “You have to ask the person who claims to be a police officer to present his ID if he is not in a police uniform. If he refuses, ignore what he says and report the matter to 999,” he added. The public can contact the emergency number, 999, to report any suspected cases or make use of Metrash2 to register a complaint.    

Deals worth nearly QR390.6mn were signed by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) during Milipol Qatar 2021, Brigadier Saud al-Shafi, assistant director-general of the Logistics Directorate at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and a member of the Milipol Qatar Committee announced yesterday as the three-day event held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre came to a close. Addressing another press conference marking the conclusion of the event, Major-General Nasser bin Fahd al-Thani, chairman of the Milipol Qatar Committee, said the exhibition evoked a good response despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.  The number of visitors reached 6,600 while 235 media outlets attended the event, he said.  The third day of the event saw the MoI sign agreements worth QR218,292,123.  Announcing the details of the deals, Brigadier al-Shafi said an agreement was signed with Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co for importing various kinds of vehicles for QR8,186,000, while another agreement was inked with Al Kouniyya Company worth QR50,302,165 for importing the materials of ID cards. The MoI also signed a deal with Fahed Trading and Contracting worth QR129,739,000 for importing 77 fire-fighting vehicles for the FIFA 2022 World Cup Qatar while the fourth agreement, worth QR20,064,958, was inked with Mannai Corporation for the design, import, fixing and extension of the Tetra system.  In addition, according to the deal, Mannai Corporation will import caravans and F5 business solutions and carry out maintenance for the ICCS sound system.  Besides these, various MoI departments signed deals worth QR10mn with different companies. Lieutenant-Colonel Nasser al-Otaibi, member of the Milipol Qatar Committee, was present alongside Brigadier al-Shafi at the press conference where the deals were announced. The MoI had on Tuesday signed three deals with Qatari companies worth QR172,287,817, taking the total value of deals signed during the event to QR390,579,940. The 13th edition of Milipol Qatar hosted 150 exhibitors from 17 countries, with 54% of them being new participants. Held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the event was organised by the MoI in partnership with Paris-based international event organiser Comexposium and Civipol, the consulting and service company of the French Ministry of Interior. “This is a great achievement for us that we were able to organise this exhibition under the current circumstances,” Major-General al-Thani said.  The exhibition had a total of 150 exhibitors, including 73 from Qatar, with pavilions representing entities from the Middle East, South America, the US, UK, Scandinavia and other places in Europe. The show also featured five international pavilions from Brazil, France, the UK, US and Germany. Major-General al-Thani said the exhibition was attended by dignitaries from Qatar and friendly nations. The dignitaries to visit the event included His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani and ministers of interior from Ukraine, Moldova, Pakistan, Lebanon and Iraq. “Apart from local ministers, several ministers, deputy ministers, police chiefs, undersecretaries, gendarmerie commanders and representatives of ministries from different countries visited Milipol Qatar 2021,” Major-General al-Thani added.  Milipol Events director Marie Lagrenee said the event was held against the backdrop of industry forecasts, which suggest the Middle East homeland security market will grow in value to be worth $19.7bn by 2022. She added the total value of deals that have been declared at Milipol Qatar during the past three days reached QR390.6mn.  Major-General al-Thani and Lagrenee thanked the visitors, exhibitors and sponsors for making the event a success. Also present at the concluding press conference was Brigadier al-Shafi.

Global co-operation is needed to overcome cybersecurity and privacy protection challenges, Mika Lauhde, vice-president of Cybersecurity and Privacy, Global Public Affairs at Huawei Technologies, has said. In an exclusive interview to Gulf Times on the sidelines of Milipol Qatar 2021, Mika said co-operation is key for the success of transformation and it can be achieved through partnerships between government, private enterprises and educational institutions. “Companies and government entities as well as individuals fall prey to cyber threats. People need to share information in secured ways. They rely upon governments that are accountable for providing them with security. The government can ensure security by sharing information and co-operating. A lot of co-operation is needed,” he said. The official hailed Milipol 2021, saying it contributes much to the global co-operation and sharing of ideas between companies and countries. “Society becomes increasingly dependent on the Internet and cybersecurity has become a matter of concern with new cybersecurity vulnerabilities emerging,” he noted. He said the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world, stressing the need to further explore in order to exchange information and overcome the threat. “This pandemic is not the last and we have to find solutions by tapping the potential of technology. Technology has played a pivotal role in minimising the adversity of the pandemic. We need telecommunication to take care of the pandemic. Next time, we have to be much prepared,” Mika said, adding that Huawei could ensure connection between the people while they were isolated. He explained that healthcare needs connectivity to become further hi-tech. “In the future, medical prescription, consultation and surgeries will be done by making use of a reliable telecommunication system from far away. Telecommunication is enabling the future where pandemic and emergencies will be dealt with by using technology and telecommunication,” he said. Mika noted that 5G is a revolution that ensures a better system and develops a new ecosystem. It’s much more secure with speed, capacity and latency while addressing risks, making networks and information more secure and protecting users' privacy. Mika went on to say that Huawei is helping build a new ecosystem and this is achieved by helping stakeholders like healthcare providers, educational institutions and government entities. “We help local people and innovators by enabling them to do their job,” he said. “We are creating a new ecosystem and working with universities in Qatar,” he said, noting that Huawei has a long history of co-operation with Qatar while supporting private and public entities here to combat cyber threats. He said Milipol assumes significance as it ensures the sharing of ideas and experiences. “We are in need for international policies and joint efforts to overcome the threats and understanding about technologies is also needed,” he added.  

Milipol Qatar 2021 has highlighted the General Directorate of Civil Defence (GDCD)’s preparedness to serve Qatar while dealing with emergencies. The Civil Defence pavilion at Milipol, being held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, showcases the latest equipment and mechanisms to deal with emergencies. Among them is the rescue and rapid response vehicle that has a number of special features. Lieutenant-Colonel Jabir Mohamed al-Marri, head of the media and awareness section at the GDCD, said the vehicle is a new addition to the force. It can further facilitate rescue and response services, including fire fighting. “Speed and ability to make urgent interventions make these vehicles special. We have five small vehicles while three big vehicles are ready to serve,” Lieutenant-Colonel al-Marri said, adding that more such vehicle will be added. He explained that these vehicles were brought in as part of the preparations to serve the venues of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The official said the vehicles can facilitate dealing with emergencies as the small ones will have easy access to places like basements while the big ones can fight fire outbreaks and other emergencies in multi-storeyed buildings and stadiums. The Civil Defence pavilion also exhibits latest technologies that the force uses to deal with accidents and emergencies, while emphasis is also laid on raising awareness and spreading safety tips. “We are looking to establish a safety culture among various segments of society while attending exhibitions like this,” he said. As part of World Civil Defence Day, the directorate, under the theme of ‘Civil Defence and a first aider in every home’, is carrying out special campaigns in order to preserve the safety of the people in the homeland by educating family members and instilling safety concepts in them. “A one-year training awareness programme is going on and it targets school students, commercial complexes and State ministries. These are aimed to provide awareness of safety and security procedures in every home,” he added.    

Milipol Qatar 2021 will host three seminars that will focus on the issues of cybersecurity and cyber threats, civil defence and managing the security of major events, and see the participation of thought leaders, the organisers have announced. On March 16, a session on cybersecurity and cyber threats will discuss ‘Cyber Threat Defence: Lessons from SOC’ and other key issues related to the topic. The session will start at 11am and is to be attended by Khalid N Sadiq al-Hashimi, assistant undersecretary, Cyber Security Department at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, along with experts from various firms. A session on civil defence will be held at 2.30pm on March 16, and is to be led by officials from the Ministry of Interior (MoI). Then, a morning session on March 17 will focus on security management for large events and the keynote address will be delivered by Falah al-Dosari, senior manager, Project Stadia, Interpol, while speakers from the MoI will attend the seminar. The participants include government entities and major companies working in the homeland security and civil defence sectors across the world. Milipol 2021 cover areas such as anti-terrorism special forces, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defence, civil defence, data protection, information and communication systems, economic and industrial intelligence, fight against cyber threats and cybercrime, forensic science service, law enforcement, oil and gas sector, port and airport security, border control, prison sector, private security, protection of industrial and sensitive sites, risk analysis and management, road safety, security of public places, urban security, systems integration and transport security. Also, experts from the exhibiting entities will address the seminars. Milipol Qatar 2021 begins tomorrow at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre and continues until March 17.

  * 71 companies from 17 countries and 72 local firms to attend Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Milipol Qatar 2021 will begin at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre Monday with the participation of 143 local and international exhibiting companies. The expo, which represents a link between global manufacturers, users and security and safety experts, will showcase the latest products and innovations dedicated to homeland security and public safety in the Middle East region, until March 17. The Milipol Qatar Exhibition Committee held a press conference at the Officers' Club Hall, General Directorate of Civil Defence, Saturday to announce the details of the exhibition. Milipol Qatar chairman Major-General Nasser bin Fahd al-Thani told the press conference that all arrangements have been completed for the leading international event in the field of homeland security and civil defence. The three-day event is being organised by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in co-operation with France-based international event organiser Comexposium. It is held every two years. Major-General al-Thani said the 13th edition of the exhibition features 71 international companies from 17 countries along with 72 local companies, adding that new entities account for 53% of the total participants. Milipol Qatar 2021 will also host five international pavilions representing Brazil, France, Germany, the UK and the US, in addition to individual international companies that will cater to a wide range of regional requirements. The official stressed that Milipol Qatar 2021, which is expected to witness a "great turnout", will take into account all the precautionary and preventive protocols of the Ministry of Public Health to curb the spread of Covid-19. He said this year's edition of Milipol Qatar will provide businesspersons and investors with a comprehensive idea about the future of the internal security and civil defence sectors after the pandemic. In addition, it will create an opportunity for them to be introduced to new international partners for importing and developing technologies and systems that will enhance the preparedness of these sectors in the future. Considering that it is a leading destination for major sports events, Qatar seeks to benefit from the latest technological systems to enhance the safety and security of huge international events, such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he noted. In terms of its response to the current challenges, Major-General al-Thani stressed that this international event meets a large part of the growing security needs of Qatar in line with its National Vision 2030, in addition to its role in providing the wider regional needs. The exhibition allows countries and entities to explore the latest innovations and products in the world related to civil defence and internal security, and opens the door for many deals, he added. Milipol Events director Marie Lagrenee expressed pleasure in organising the exhibition despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. She affirmed that Milipol Qatar has strengthened its position in the security market by being one of the most important platforms for business at the level of international industries since the Covid-19 outbreak. Milipol Qatar is already strengthening its presence as a serious business generation platform as it focuses on the industry, she noted. “Visitors, buyers and official delegations will be looking to source new partnerships and secure emerging business opportunities," she said, adding that the event will be a platform that strengthens the co-operation between Qatar and participating countries. Lagrenee praised Qatar's role and its ability to provide a safe environment for its citizens, residents, tourists and visitors alike. She indicated that Milipol Qatar is in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, for a diversified knowledge-based economy and to create a society of peace, security and prosperity. She noted the participation of Barzan Holdings, Strategic Sponsor of Milipol Qatar 2021 and a major Qatari entity participating in the exhibition. Further, she said the expo's international reputation enabled it to attract a range of exhibitors from 17 countries from different regions around the world, including the UK, Scandinavia and other parts of Europe, the eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, Far East and the Indian subcontinent, which showcase a wide range of equipment, systems, products and provide consultations for the internal security and civil defence sector. On the sidelines of the exhibition, specialised seminars will be held on cyber security, cyber threats, civil defence and security management for large events, with the participation of prominent specialists and experts in these fields. Major-General al-Thani thanked the sponsors of Milipol Qatar 2021, who are "contributors to the success of this exhibition". They include Barzan Holdings, Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co, Eshhar Security Services, Ooredoo, Outbox, Al Hazm, Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana, Huawei, Stark Motors, Jaidah Group, Notification, MSC Qatar, Dell Technologies, Mannai Corporation, Salam Technology, Nuctech, Qommunication, Milaha and Qatar Airways. (With inputs from QNA)

A quick weekend getaway at one of the pristine beaches or a walk through heritage sites is always an option for Qatar residents to help themselves relax and unwind. Most residents opt for a drive out of the city to explore outer Doha. This, they do with family or friends and in a group of like-minded people. Sanchari Qatar is one such group of travel enthusiasts. However, what makes this group special is a host of factors. They promote traveling while focusing on preserving nature and helping underprivileged people travel and explore by organising affordable trips. “Our motto is Travel with Nature and we do justice to this by exploring while ensuring our activities cause no any harm to the nature,"says Hafeezullah K V, one of the key functionaries of Sanchari Qatar. The group was formed by expatriates as a chapter of Kerala-based Sanchari group that has more than 60,000 members across the world. Formed in 2015, Sanchari has so far organised 18 trips attended by families as well as bachelors. Initially, the functions started with morning walks that later grew to include trips. A core team identifies a place and ensures it has optimum facilities by holding a field visit ahead of the trip. A date is announced and the message is disseminated through the group's social media platform. “We try to make our trips affordable and cost effective by planning properly and taking expert advice. The duties are decided among the members and vehicles are arranged. Group members help each other meet transportation requirements," Hafeezullah disclosed. The group ensures no waste is littered at the sites visited and holds a cleanliness drive in order to stress the message of environmental protection. During some trips, experts are invited to hold talks on the preserving nature. In a bid to encourage enthusiasts, the group holds travelogue writing contests in which the best writers are given prizes. Sanchari has a passion for exploring new and less frequented places. “We explored the Azerbaijani beach at Al Shamal before it became a favourite spot for weekend tourism," he said. Tips are shared on social media platforms after every trip is held in order to help tourists select destinations and reach them easily. Sanchari is planning a slew of programmes to promote travelling while helping underprivileged expats explore Qatar. “There are people who never go for a drive in Qatar. Some are least aware and interested while others are unable to afford trips. We are looking to help such residents while organising exclusive trips for them," he said. The plan is to select such residents,arrange transportation and take them to tourist destinations within and outside of Doha. The plan includes introducing them to facilities like Doha Metro. “The plan had been in the making and steps had been completed but it was put on hold after Covid-19 pandemic," Hafeezullah said expressing confidence of implementing the plan soon.    

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday praised Qatar's role in helping restore peace in Syria and its humanitarian efforts. Lavrov, while addressing a press conference after a meeting with HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Cavusoglu, said joint efforts are needed to safeguard territorial security and rebuild Syria. “I thank Qatar for initiating the meeting and this is the first time it is up to the ministerial level," he said, adding that experts had prepared the ground for the discussions prior to that. “We emphasised the importance of urgent assistance to Syria to help mitigate the pandemic and also to rebuild the civil infrastructure destroyed as a result of the conflict,” he added. Thanking Qatar for hosting Turkey's delegation in Doha for the meeting, Cavusoglu said: “We worked with the Russian side to achieve our objective and will continue our co-operation with Qatar to alleviate human suffering. We have discussed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria and reaffirmed the need to consolidate our humanitarian efforts, especially when it comes to tackling and mitigating the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said, adding that such meetings should continue. “We have decided to host the next meeting in Turkey and thereafter in Russia. Our friends will work in an organised manner to establish permanent peace in Syria and host such meetings for the sake of peace in the region,” he added.    

Careless driving and illegal pedestrian crossing continue to be the causes of concern when it comes to road traffic accident deaths in Qatar. Statistics presented by Col Mohammed Radi al-Hajri, director of the Traffic Awareness Department at the General Directorate of Traffic, on Wednesday showed that negligence and reckless driving accounted for 2,442 accidents at a rate of 42.4% of the total cases. While 21.9% of the cases happened due to not keeping a safe distance, 12.3% were due to deviation from the road. Other reasons including red signal jumping, non-adherence to lane discipline, speeding and overtaking resulted in 13.4 % of the total cases. A total of 69 drivers died in road traffic accidents in 2020, accounting for 50% of the fatality. The rest of the fatalities included 26 passengers (18.8%) and 43 pedestrians (31.2%). The traffic fatality rate in Qatar has continued to decline since 2008 when 230 deaths at a rate of 12 per 100,000 population were reported. It continued to decline over the past years registering only a slight fluctuation within two years. Col al-Hajri noted that the death rate in Qatar is significantly lower than global rates as the country has recorded an accident mortality rate of only four deaths per 100,000 population. African countries have recorded 26.6, Eastern Europe and Asia Minor 18, European countries 9.3, Southeast Asian countries 20.7 and the North and South America 15.6. "More initiatives will be taken up to further bring down the accident rate in Qatar," Col al-Hajri added.

Qatar recorded a remarkable drop in road traffic accidents in 2020 with a sharp decrease of 28.3%. Cases went down to 155,812 in 2020 from 217,353 in 2019. This was highlighted during the press conference by the General Directorate of Traffic on Wednesday. Colonel Mohamed Radi al-Hajri, director of the Awareness and Information Department at the General Directorate of Traffic, said this was achieved by implementing a speech of projects and intensified campaigns including awareness programmes and checks.   “Roads are being developed and several infrastructure projects are being implemented. These have direct impact on the achievement," al-Hajri noted while thanking the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) for their contributions to develop roads and infrastructure. Al-Hajiri said the Covid-19 pandemic also played a crucial role in decreasing the cases adding that the authorities are looking to further bring down the number. A total of 126 deaths were reported with a decrease of 0.1% while severe injuries were recorded in 540 cases with a drop of 0.30%. In 5094 accident cases, minor injuries were reported while no injury was recorded in 150,052 cases. The General Directorate of Traffic recorded a total of 1,574,812 violations in 2020 with a decline of 20.1% while the number of violations stood at 1,969,896 in 2019.