DOHA: With support from the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), to help partially recoup the latter's heavy asset and property losses, both at its Khartoum headquarters and state chapters, as a result of the ongoing war in Sudan.
The agreement was signed by head of QRCS's representation office in Sudan Dr Salah Al Din Daak and Secretary-General of SRCS Aida Al-Sayed Abdullah.
Taking place in Port Sudan, the signing ceremony was attended by Sudan's Minister of Social Development Ahmed Adam Bakhit, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Sudan HE Mohamed Ibrahim Al Sada, local officials, diplomats, and representatives of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The Sudanese Minister of Social Development thanked Qatar for its continued support for the humanitarian needs in Sudan, as well as its significant contributions to the reconstruction of Darfur, through services complexes and other projects for the returnees.
He appreciated the effective role played by QRCS during the current crisis, especially in backing the health sector and providing free medications for internally displaced people (IDPs) in many states.
Ambassador Al Sada said the agreement was another step towards stronger humanitarian partnerships and urgent action to meet the needs of SRCS, which had been badly affected by the recent events in Sudan. He emphasized the commitment of Qatar to launching more projects for the benefit of affected communities countrywide.
"Following the directions of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar has for years been conducting relief and disaster response efforts in Sudan," he added.
"In response to the current humanitarian crisis, Qatar has deployed an ongoing airlift from Doha to Port Sudan, carrying hundreds of tons of aid, mostly funded by QFFD, with 12 states reached out so far, including Khartoum and Darfur."
Aida Abdullah highlighted the deep-rooted partnership between QRCS and SRCS, promising to continue to work across the country, despite the loss of dozens of vehicles and assets in Khartoum. She praised the efforts of SRCS volunteers, who were still working to help vulnerable people and alleviate the suffering of those affected by the current circumstances.
Dr Daak described the agreement as an enhancement of partnership between the two sides.
"The grant offered by QFFD is aimed at helping SRCS compensate for some of the lost assets and property. This support will hopefully enable SRCS to go on with its large-scale humanitarian work in every part of the country," he said.
