QFFD, QRCS to Launch Extensive Humanitarian Intervention for Syrians

Doha, May 19 (QNA) - Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) have signed a USD 12 million funding agreement to support the displaced communities in Syria, as well as the Syrian refugees in neighboring countries, under the umbrella of the United Nations. The agreement was signed by Ali Abdullah Al Dabbagh, Executive Director of Corporate Strategy at QFFD, and Rashid Saad Al Mohannadi, Director of Relief and International Development at QRCS. Targeting a total of 5.6 million beneficiaries in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, this contribution comes under the Syria Humanitarian Response Plan adopted by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). According to Al Dabbagh, this funding is part of the State of Qatar's USD 100 million pledges announced during the second Brussels Conference on "Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region", 24-25 April 2018. "Qatar is absolutely committed to addressing the impact of the humanitarian tragedy inflicted on the Syrian people over the past seven years. These funds will go for life-saving projects that will meet the basic needs of the Syrians," said Al Dabbagh. Al Mohannadi, stated, "This agreement is a new episode of Qatar's track record in helping the Syrian people for years now. A key asset of this support is the strong, coordinated partnership between QFFD as a major donor and QRCS as a leading humanitarian provider in many crises, particularly in Syria". He hoped that the pact will help alleviate some of the hardships suffered by Syrian refugees and displaced people on a daily basis, particularly the vulnerable groups like children, women, patients, and elderly people. The plan involves several significant activities to be executed in Syria, including but are not limited to operating health care centers, providing psychological support services, building clay housing units, rehabilitating houses and roads in Idlib, and offering vocational training. In August 2016, a similar agreement was signed by QFFD and QRCS for Syria response, under Qatar's USD 100 million pledges made at the "Supporting Syria and the Region" conference in the United Kingdom, 4 February 2016. (QNA)