Red Crescent, Red Cross chiefs coordinate plans
BEIRUT: Leaders of Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies in the Middle East and North Africa discussed Tuesday coordinating efforts to face humanitarian challenges weighing down on the region. Deputy Chief of The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Asia and the pacific and General Secretary of Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society Maha Al-Barjes spoke to KUNA on the sidelines of the meeting and discussed the rapidly changing humanitarian situation, mounting crises and increase of humanitarian needs.
She said that there is a rapid change in the humanitarian scene, especially in the Middle East and North Africa, which confirms the need for concerted efforts by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to adopt proactive plans by expanding the scope of their efforts to meet humanitarian necessities. “Lebanon as well as the Palestinian territories are witnessing a deteriorating humanitarian situation.
Yemen is also going through one of the worst humanitarian crises in history. Similarly, the crisis of the displaced and the Syrian refugees requires us to consult and coordinate with each other to meet the humanitarian requirements,” she said.
She stressed the importance of adopting strategies to ensure a speedy response. For emergencies and building international and local companies, “because the crises facing us cannot be handled by any agency or organization individually.” Al-Barjas touched on the most important challenges facing the region, which are represented by the continuing consequences of the COVID-19, cholera and dengue fever, putting pressure on the health sector. This is in addition to the effects resulting from climate change and the ongoing conflicts.
Among the challenges is the continuation of the crisis of refugees and displaced persons and relief work to deliver humanitarian aid to them, she pointed out. She said these multiple crises in the region underscore the necessity of unifying efforts to ratify preventive plans, approve strategies guaranteeing quick response to emerging cases and building international partnerships.
Regional Director of the International Federation of Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies in the Middle East and North Africa region said Hussam Al-Sharqawi said in a similar statement that the meeting, which will discuss the latest developments and humanitarian conditions in the Middle East and North Africa.
He added, “The aim of the meeting is to discuss the readiness to respond to the many disasters that we expect and are related to climate change crises and conflicts in the region.” Al-Sharqawi stated that the leaders of the associations will exchange plans and ideas to work together during the meeting, as “the size, quantity and speed of disasters exceed the capabilities of any country to respond to them alone.” – KUNA
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