Attachments
February 20th, 2016 ― Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is organizing the 10-day Health Emergencies in Large Populations (H.E.L.P.) Course in Beirut, Lebanon, in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Lebanese Red Cross (LRC), and Qatar University (QU).
The purpose of this course is to improve the field work of local, regional, and international relief organizations, ensuring immediate health intervention to control diseases and epidemics in accordance with the ethical and humanitarian standards.
The course is attended by 30 relief specialists from 10 countries, together with lecturers and trainers from National Societies and international organizations, mainly ICRC.
In cooperation with ICRC and the University of Calgary in Qatar, QRCS had organized three versions of this course in 2011, 2012, and 2013, with a total of 76 participants.
QRCS is the only organization accredited by ICRC to hold this course in the MENA zone. It is the only Arabic-speaking version of the course, which has been held in English worldwide since its inception in 1986.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Paul Bouvier, ICRC Senior Medical Adviser, said, "This course seeks to develop the technical and professional capacity of health emergency workers, in order to enhance their crisis response across the board".
Dr. Bouvier stressed the importance of sharing experience, success stories, and challenges, as well as adopting ethical decision-making, to meet the needs while observing humanitarian and professional principles.
Mr. Fouad Bawaba, ICRC Senior Communication Officer, thanked those who helped translate the documents of this important course, which have been held in Latin America, North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Describing the course as an advanced professional training needed for the region, adding, "We will continue to cooperate with QRCS and other National Societies in this aspect".
The Head of QRCS Office in Lebanon, Mr. Omar Katerji, said that the course is compatible with QRCS's strategy of crisis preparedness, especially in the MENA zone, through investment in response capacity building.
"Our goal is to create a culture of shared experience, preparedness, and timely and effective action skills. We hope that the certificates of this course will testify to the preemptive awareness pursued by QRCS".
This course is part of QRCS's year-round training program to build the health capacity across Qatar and the region. It covers a wide range of topics, including planning, food security, public health, epidemic management, health care systems, the International Humanitarian Law, refugee protection, psychological support, shelter, and camp management.
End##
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 190 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.
Or you can visit our website: www.qrcs.org.qa, or like and follow our social media pages:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/QatarRedCrescent
Twitter/ Instgram: @QRCS
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/qatar-red-crescent