Qatari Newspapers Praise QRCS, UNRWA Humanitarian Campaign to Support Palestinians

Doha, December 27 (QNA) - Qatar's daily newspapers praised the launch of the joint humanitarian campaign by Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to support the Palestinians, with the aim of collecting donations of $ 1.1 million for the implementation of a series of winter relief projects to benefit groups affected by the cold weather in the Palestinian community. The newspapers commended the Qatari support for the Palestinian people and its pace increased with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, which infected hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees, and stressed the firm position of the State of Qatar in support of the Palestinian people inside the occupied territories or in hosting countries with continuous efforts to ensure their right to a decent life. In this regard, Al-Watan newspaper appreciated the QRCS and the UNRWA's launching of a joint humanitarian campaign to support the Palestinians in facing the cold weather during the winter season, by raising $1.1 million to implement a number of winterization projects for the benefit of 123,000 Palestinians affected by the cold weather. The paper stated that theses projects will include food parcels containing the basic food staples to meet the needs of 6,000 families (35,000 persons), mainly children and older persons, in addition to winter aid, where 6,000 Palestinian families will receive winterization kits, which contain mattresses, gas stoves, diapers for babies and older persons, and hygiene kits, at a cost of QR 450,000. In addition, 15,000 UNRWA schoolchildren will receive 15,000 coats to protect them from the winter cold, at a cost of QR1.5 million, the paper added. This campaign is the first of the fruits of the framework memorandum of understanding (MoU) recently signed by QRCS and the UNRWA, to work together to provide diverse forms of humanitarian support for Palestinian refugees, within the shared goals and vision of backing the UNRWA's services for the Palestinians where they are, the paper noted. Al-Watan also noted the Commissioner-General of the UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini's announcement of the campaign as a generous support from QRCS to the UNRWA that comes at a critical time for 5.7 million Palestinian refugees at risk in the region, adding that it is a partnership that he respects and values with an organization that is known for its solidarity with vulnerable people at times of need. In conclusion, Al Watan emphasized that Qatari support for the Palestinian people has never stopped, and its pace has increased, which is considered as a great matter of humanitarian position. In its editorial Sunday, Al-Raya said that serving the Palestinian people is a top priority for the State of Qatar's charitable societies and institutions, including Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), by undertaking hundreds of relief and development projects to improve the living standards of those in need, whether in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip or occupied Jerusalem. In this regard, the newspaper noted the joint humanitarian campaign to help the Palestinian people during the winter of 2020-2021, launched by QRCS and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) under the theme "Dignity Is Priceless". The paper stressed the importance of this new campaign, as it is aimed at implementing a number of winterization projects for the benefit of 123,000 Palestinians affected by the cold weather. This campaign, the paper said, is the first of the fruits of the framework memorandum of understanding (MoU) recently signed by QRCS and the UNRWA, to work together to provide diverse forms of humanitarian support for Palestinian refugees, within the shared goals and vision of backing the UNRWA's services for the Palestinians where they are." Al-Raya pointed out that QRCS realizes the important mandate undertaken by the UNRWA to meet the needs of the people of Palestine and ease the burdens and difficulties they face, especially in light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. It also hailed the generous support from QRCS to the UNRWA that comes at a critical time for 5.7 million Palestinian refugees at risk in the region, noting that this Qatari partnership with the UNRWA is based on respect with an organization that is known for its solidarity with vulnerable people at times of need. The paper emphasized that funding the UNRWA must continue so it can fulfill its responsibilities and duties, considering this a necessity as the international commitments made in this regard are inalienable rights of the Palestinian refugees. In conclusion, Al-Raya said that the State of Qatar has continued to fulfill its duties and responsibilities towards the financial donation to UNRWA, and that it has affirmed on more than one occasion that it will not hesitate to fund the projects implemented by the Agency, and that the launch of the Dignity Is Priceless campaign came as a confirmation of its policies towards UNRWA and its firm position in support of the Palestinian people inside the occupied territories or in countries hosting Palestinian refugees. For its part, Al-Sharq newspaper emphasized in its Sunday editorial that the joint humanitarian campaign launched by Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) represents a small part of the leading Qatari humanitarian role. The State of Qatar remains a supporter for its brothers and friends in the region and the world, whether by providing a helping hand beyond relief to development support, or by working to resolve conflicts and keep the specter of wars away from the region and the world, as its numerous mediations contributed to strengthening international peace and security, the newspaper explained. Al-Sharq pointed out that the joint humanitarian campaign launched under the theme of "Dignity Is Priceless" aimed at raising USD 1.1 million donations (QR 4 million) for the implementation of a series of winter relief projects for the benefit of Palestinians affected by the cold weather in Gaza, West Bank and Jerusalem. In recent times, despite the difficulties, there have been many and well-known examples of Qatar standing by its brothers whether in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan or Somalia, as it was present to help the stricken people with its relief convoys and aid, which contributed to alleviating the suffering of millions of families in the region, Al-Sharq underlined. The paper added that the State of Qatar was alongside dozens of countries around the world during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, as it sent tons of medical aid to more than 80 countries. Al-Sharq referred to Qatar's generous contributions to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) as well as to the World Health Organization in support of its efforts in developing testing equipment, treatments and vaccines for COVID-19. Concluding, Al-Sharq said that this humanitarian support that transcends countries to support the programs of international organizations concerned with development and humanitarian work has led to the consolidation and strengthening of Qatar's position in international humanitarian and development action. (QNA)