In cooperation with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian affairs (OCHA) for the Gulf Region and the Qatari Sakha Company, Qatar Charity held a training course, preparing 27 trainees on the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in the field of humanitarian response to disasters.
The training course, entitled ‘Sphere’, was held at QC’s headquarters and the participating trainees were from Qatar and the GCC states.
Ibrahim Zainal, Director of QC’s follow-up department, presented the participants with certificates upon completion of the course, and expressed his thanks to them, hoping that they would be ready to meet the need of those affected by humanitarian disasters across the world and that they would extend the benefit of the training course to others.
Zainal keenness to host more such training courses; contributing to the development and building of skills for those interested in voluntary charitable work, especially Qatari and other Gulf youngsters. “QC welcomes each volunteer willing to join its efforts to serve charitable work and develop the Qatari community,” Zainal said. Volunteer Base Ibrahim Zainal, explained that the course prepares volunteers to respond to disaster, based on their knowledge of relief work, and their mastery of international good practice in the field. “In addition, the course offers trainees the skills that qualify them to train other young people. It also grants graduates considerable certificates, Zainal explained. In holding the courses QC aims to form a base of young volunteers. The volunteers will serve as a strategic stock of qualified human resources in terms of charitable, humanitarian, and relief work.
He explained that if each of the graduates goes on to train 25 trainees a year, there will be 600 qualified young people, who will be ready to join rapid and urgent humanitarian interventions. QC is considering launching a range of accredited training courses in the near future in a bid to strengthen the capacity of young Qatari people in the field of relief and humanitarian work in coordination with United Nations organizations. He stressed that QC welcomes Qatari trainees holding a certificate of participation from the Sphere training course to practice what they have learned on the course through its field offices located in Asia, Africa and Europe. QC is also eager to sponsor courses inside Qatar taught by Qatari volunteers who participated in the last training course and will provide all the necessary support and assistance. Course “achieved objectives” Khalid Khalifa, Head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the Gulf Region discussed how the training course deals with the Humanitarian Charter; recognizing the right of those affected by disasters to live in dignity and their right to receive protection and assistance.
The trainees also become familiar with the Code of Conduct for the work of the international Red Cross and Red Crescent and other well-known organizations working in the field. Khalifa said that he believed the ‘Sphere’ training course achieved its intended objectives. He commended QC’s role in hosting the course and assisting its success, as well as the support provided by Sakha Company and the commitment of the participating trainees. New prospects The trainees said that the course, “offers new prospects in the field of humanitarian and relief work”, contributing to the acquisition of extensive practical experience in the field of relief.
Sabbah Rabia Al-Kuwari, a student at the University of Qatar, said: "The training course organized by QC, the first of its kind in Qatar, has had a significant impact on me through the dissemination of a culture of relief work in our society, and availing practice through participation in relief.” He explained that the ‘Sphere’ project works to break down the barriers between the trainer and trainees and to present a full picture of relief action. Rashid Khalid Al-Mohannadi, a Qatari student at the University of Swansea, in Britain, expressed his thanks to QC for hosting and organizing this important training course. He added that the course offers the participants the prospects of rich practical experience on the Humanitarian Charter and disaster response. Jaber Abdel Hadi Aldahabib Al-Marri, an employee at Qatar Petroleum and an international student awarded a scholarship by the Qatar Center for Voluntary Work, said that the course was very useful and successful.
He confirmed that it has worked to strengthen the motivation of the participants to join future humanitarian campaigns to aid those affected by disaster. Hamed Ahmed Karam, a trainee from UAE, was pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the course. He thanked those who helped organize the activities. Suleiman Hamadoun Al-Sharji, a trainee from the Sultanate of Oman, stressed the importance of the course, which he said had enabled him to possess skills and knowledge and provided him with the capabilities to aid those affected by disaster based on international standards of humanitarian aid.