QRC signs pact with Afghan Red Crescent

The Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) recently concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its Afghan counterpart to pave the way for a series of relief and developmental interventions for the disadvantaged and disaster-stricken parts of the country.The purpose of the MoU is to alleviate the suffering of those affected by war and natural disasters through the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid, reconstruction, rehabilitation of dilapidated infrastructure, effective contribution to the development process and provision of basic public services such as clean drinking water, healthcare and other necessities.Also, the agreement enables QRC to build the capacities of its Afghan peer, whether on-site or at branches in target areas, through training and exchange of experience.On the other hand, the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) will provide logistics support, including transportation, storage, accommodation and workforce. They will also facilitate secure access to target areas for executing teams and take part in the implementation of some projects.QRC secretary general Saleh bin Ali al-Mohannadi described the partnership as a positive step that will serve as a legal basis for larger-scale QRC relief and development efforts in Afghanistan, amid an increasing need for humanitarian assistance in the regions most affected by natural disasters and deteriorating economic conditions.“We are keen to expand our projects in Afghanistan and augment the services provided for the Afghan people, who have for long been experiencing successive wars and deadly calamities such as drought, floods, earthquakes and landslides,” he added.During a ceremony held by ARCS to commemorate the anniversary of its establishment, its president Fatima Gailani welcomed the opening of a QRC office in Afghanistan. ARCS secretary general Mohamed Naim Dindar lauded the initiative before the parliament and at the meeting with senior officials from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross.Following the signing, Dindar said: “We are happy that our brothers in Qatar are aware of our pain and feel the needs of their brothers in Afghanistan. We look forward to working together to mitigate the suffering of the distressed and ensure a good standard of living for the needy.”QRC is currently undertaking numerous endeavours in response to the flash floods and double landslide that affected several parts of the country last month. Arrangements are being made to distribute $207,000 worth of food and non-food assistance to the badly-hit communities, as well as to implement development projects such as digging water wells, installing water networks, launching environment and health awareness campaigns and building housing units for poor families.