QRCS Allocates $1 Million as Urgent Humanitarian Response to Situation in Gaza

Gaza

Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) announced the allocation of USD one million from its Disaster Response Fund for an initial emergency intervention plan, aimed at providing critically needed medicines, medical supplies, and ambulance vehicles, to ensure the operability of emergency, surgery, and ICU departments at Gaza hospitals.

In a press statement, QRCS indicated that QRCS's office in Gaza has already started a USD 200,000 phase-1 emergency response project, which involves supporting hospitals of Palestine's Ministry of Health (MOH) with medicines and medical supplies, thus helping them to continue providing emergency medical services (EMS) for the wounded.

Over the past week QRCS and its representation offices in Gaza, Al Quds, and the West Bank have been closely monitoring the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Since day 1, QRCS activated its Disaster Information Management Center (DIMC) to collect timely information, identify the damage, and coordinate with Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and other international humanitarian organizations in Gaza.

QRCS expressed its sincerest condolences to PRCS for the killing of four paramedics while doing their job on the field. It condemned the attacks on health care workers and first responders, stressing the fact that they are not a target.

As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which is concerned with the protection of vulnerable people and alleviation of their suffering, QRCS calls for the compliance with the letter and spirit of Article 3 of the Four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Second Additional Protocol, which stipulate that "the wounded and sick shall be collected and cared for".

The international humanitarian law (IHL) also criminalizes attacks on hospitals, medical units, and health care providers. This protection is guaranteed by the Red Crescent emblem, which is to be respected.

(QNA)