February 21st, 2016 ― Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) mission in Iraq is proceeding with its relief efforts to help the internally displaced people (IDPs) of Iraq withstand the cold winter, with new winterization aid distributions worth $69,300 (QR 252,258), under the Warm Winter 2015-2016 campaign.
Executed in partnership with the Alamal Almanshood Organization for Relief and Development, the project involved distributing 4,950 blankets to 1,650 families (10,000 people) in IDP camps across Al-Anbar Governorate, as follows: Amiriyat Al-Fallujah (3,750 blankets), Khalidiya (600 blankets), and Habbaniya (600 blankets).
The beneficiaries were selected from the most vulnerable groups of IDPs, widows, orphans, and the destitute who fled the violence in their home towns.
Among the challenges that faced the project's team were having to transport the blankets in stages, using new trucks in each stage, and incurring redoubled cost due to insecurity in the hot zones. However, QRCS personnel managed to conduct the work and deliver the aid to all target families. During the distribution, the beneficiaries expressed their deep appreciation of QRCS's efforts to provide them with this aid, which came in time to protect their lives against the severe cold.
Because of the war in the hot areas, the numbers of Iraqi IDPs increased to 3 million, according to the latest official statistics, 75% of whom are women and children.
Most of the IDPs have no source of income and live substandard camps and structures, prone to chronic diseases due to the too low temperatures.
A few weeks ago, QRCS distributed $494,000 (QR 1.8 million) winterization aid like blankets, winter clothes, and heating material to 6,500 families (39,000 people) in several cities and IDP camps.
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About Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS)
Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is a humanitarian charitable 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 (IFRC) in Geneva, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 189 national societies. QRCS is also a member of several Gulf, Arab, and Islamic assemblies, such as: the Islamic Committee of International Crescent and the Secretariat-General of the Arab Organization of Red Crescent and Red Cross. 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 charitable or philanthropic organizations.
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. As a reflection of its long-standing accomplishments and credibility, QRCS's Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Al-Maadheed, is former Vice-President of the IFRC.
Qatar Red Crescent works under the umbrella of the seven international humanitarian principles: Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
For more information about Qatar Red Crescent, please contact Mr. Fareed Adnan, Head of Media Affairs, Communication Department, Tel.: +974 5583 7338, email: fareed@qrcs.org.qa.
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