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August 15th, 2023 ― Doha, Qatar: As part of its interventions to develop the health sector in Gaza, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has provided Palestine Red Crescent Society’s (PRCS) Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza with a solar power system, to mitigate the impact of power outages on the blockade, which last for over 12 hours a day. Dr. Akram Nassar, head of QRCS’s representation office in Gaza, said the project would help ensure the continuity of health services for patients at the hospital’s facilities.
Under the QR 1.6 million project, 498 solar panels were installed to supply the hospital with 323-kilowatt electricity. Dr. Bashar Murad, Director-General of PRCS – Gaza, said the organization’s hospitals badly needed power supply 24/7 to continue to provide high-quality and life-saving health services, such as cardiac surgeries and catheterizations, dialysis sessions, as well as departments of surgery, intensive care, and emergency.
“This intervention by QRCS to provide Al-Quds Hospital with solar power will help deal with the lack of power supply needed to operate the hospital,” he added. “Now, the monthly operating expenses bill for generators and fuel are 40% less, which means reduced greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution”.
QRCS has many projects to provide renewable energy in Gaza, to ensure the continuity of services for the residents of the blockade. These projects supported many health centers, local universities, and homes of poor families in several governorates in Gaza.
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About Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS)
Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is Qatar’s first humanitarian and volunteering 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 Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 192 National Societies. It is also a member of several GCC, Arab, and Islamic organizations, such as the Islamic Committee of International Crescent (ICIC) and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO). 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 and social efforts — a role that distinguishes it from other local charities and NGOs. Both locally and internationally, QRCS has relief and development operations in numerous countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central and South America. Its humanitarian mandates include disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and risk reduction. To mitigate the impact of disasters and improve the livelihoods of affected populations, QRCS provides medical services, food, water, shelter, and other needs of local communities. It is also active at the humanitarian diplomacy and 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, inspired by the seven Fundamental Principles of humanitarian action: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.