Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) is a volunteer-led humanitarian organization that aims to assist and empower vulnerable communities without partiality or discrimination. Based in Doha-Qatar, QRC is one of the 187 National Societies that make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. As such, QRC is a member of one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world, which also includes the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). As a member of the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian organization – the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – QRC's works is grounded in the Seven Fundamental Principles of humanitarian action, including Neutrality, Independence and Impartiality. QRC is also a member of several Gulf, Arabian and Islamic assemblies, such as: Consulting Committee of Gulf Charitable Societies, and the Islamic Committee of International Crescent as well as the General Secretariat of Arab Organization of Red Crescent and Red Cross.
Qatar Red Crescent is at the forefront of the humanitarian field operating both locally and internationally and has ongoing relief and sustainable heath and social development projects in a number of countries throughout the Middle East, Asia and Africa, as well as Europe. Its specialized departments also address climate change, drought and famine. With a vast network of trained committed staff and volunteers, QRC aims to rally humanitarian advocacy through coordination and partnership with many international and regional humanitarian actors, the organization places itself in a strategic position to understand, respond to and help alleviate the suffering of those in need, regardless of their origin.
Recognized for its long-standing credibility and dedication, QRC's Chairman Dr. Mohammed Bin Ghanem Al-Maadheed was elected in 2009 as Vice President of the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Specialties Disaster Managment (response, preparedness and recovery), Sustainable development and empowerment, Health and care in the community, Promotion of the fundamental principles and humanitarian values of the red crescent and red cross movement
MISSION “QRC assists and empowers communities in need, regardless of their place and origin by increasing disaster preparedness and response, improving health and care, social rehabilitation and capacity building and above all preserving human dignity.”
VISION “To improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.”
Organizational Values
Priority to the disadvantaged: The disadvantaged groups are the communities and the individuals whose life, safety and dignity are under threat. They are the members of the community to whom QRC offers its services and programs and helps in building their capabilities to face all the risks and dangers threatening them.
Dedication: Not only does QRC strive to overcome difficulties, face risks and persevere to reach out to the disadvantaged but it also shows a sincere dedication to the principles of aid and a long lasting experience.
Recognition: QRC partners constitute the major component in its work; QRC partners are the employees, the volunteers and everyone who contributes with his efforts and finance to help QRC fulfil its duties and achieve its mission.
Integrity: QRC seeks to achieve its objectives and mission publicly and transparently. It takes full responsibility for its actions and the way it acts. It is independent and respects at all times its rules, principles and values.
Devotion: QRC believes that helping the disadvantaged should be perfectly done. The aim is to have long-lasting effects on the disadvantaged. QRC is responsible for its actions from the planning stage until the final execution of the projects.
QRC's efforts in Qatar QRC operations in Qatar are not limited to providing relief and aids to the needy families but our work expanded to include health care and social development to empower through education and training as follows:
Health Care Services: Operating and managing the Worker Health Center in the industrial zone, Providing ambulance services at major events, seaside resorts and beaches, First-aid centers in commercial complexes, Funding Patients’ treatment. Empowering through Education: training in first-aid, disaster management, psychological support to patients and tragedy affected people, Humanitarian ethics for medical professions, field camps, empowering needy breadwinners though training on certain professions. Social Care and financial support: Monthly aid for needy families (in-kind and monetary, building housing units, paying rent and furnishing homes, funding students education, Social programs for children with special needs, rehabilitation of prisoners, Ramadan support, Eid gifts for children and elderly care.
QRC's efforts around the world As the number of disasters increases due climate change and human conflicts we strive not only to provide relief services but also to empower improvised communities to take command of their own future. Our sustainable development projects incorporate risk reduction and preparedness activities and actions supporting climate resilient livelihoods, while addressing simultaneously other drivers of vulnerability including environmental degradation, poverty and ill-health. Our approach is built around local knowledge and capacities to strengthen local coping mechanism which also includes public awareness and preparedness, increasing our volunteers’ number and capabilities through training, logistical support and effective dissemination of information.
Our International Relief & Development includes: • Disaster Management (response, preparedness and recovery): Out Reach and mobilizing volunteers Relief materials (food and non-food) Building emergency and transitional shelters Immediate primary and secondary healthcare Building field hospitals and medical units Physiological support for disaster-affected victims
• Healthcare and Education: Providing primary and secondary health care, build and equip medical units and hospitals; providing health education programs for doctors, nurses and medical professionals • Building shelters and residential units: China, Indonesia, Yemen and the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, Gaza and Pakistan • Water & Sanitation: Rehabilitating sanitation services; building or restoring wells, boreholes, and toilets; Sterilizing drinking water; Training in hygiene awareness for local communities to ensure the sustainability of these projects • Food Security: rehabilitating local irrigation systems; Equipping farms with irrigation wells, tools and water pumps; distributing tons of cereals to farmers, providing cereal banks with several tons of cereal; training farmers in modern techniques for communal gardening
Famous quotes containing the words red, crescent and/or society:
“Poverty was an ornament on a learned man like a red ribbon on a white horse.”
—Anzia Yezierska (c. 1881–1970)
“On me your voice falls as they say love should,
Like an enormous yes. My Crescent City
Is where your speech alone is understood.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)
“One of the many to whom, from straightened circumstances, a consequent inability to form the associations they would wish, and a disinclination to mix with the society they could obtain, London is as complete a solitude as the plains of Syria.”
—Charles Dickens (1812–1870)