October 5, 2024 ― Doha, Qatar: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has concluded a training course organized in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), 22-29 September 2024و in Al-Khor.

Titled “Coordination, Assessment, and Planning for Disaster Rapid Response Teams”, the event was attended by 28 experts, employees, and volunteers from 16 National Societies. It is the fourth course to be co-organized by QRCS & IFRC in Qatar this year.

During the opening ceremony, Faisal Mohamed Al-Emadi, Secretary-General of QRCS, praised the international course as a new episode of fruitful cooperation with IFRC on such joint events, which help build the capacity of National Societies in disaster preparedness, response, prevention, and risk reduction.

In his online remarks, Dr. Hossam Al-Sharkawi, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at IFRC, said, “Emergency preparedness is crucial. It is about supporting those we truly serve, ensuring their dignity and respect in every step. Together, let’s continue to build the capacity of our National Societies and enhance our humanitarian impact”.

Nader bin Shamlan, Regional Operations Coordinator at IFRC, explained, “Generously hosted by QRCS, this training focuses on several topics. One key point is to introduce the participants from many National Societies, both in the region and beyond, to IFRC’s tools of assessment, coordination, and development of response plans. It is part of the international capacity-building strategy, to enhance emergency operations when needed by National Societies in the field”.

The course was aimed at enhancing preparedness among National Societies, relief workers, and the Disaster Information Management Center (DIMC) to deal with current and future challenges, as well as ensuring more effective emergency/disaster response by National Societies.

It provided the participants with the knowledge and skills to apply planning, organization, and monitoring standards, enabling them to communicate the information and experience they acquired to their colleagues, which makes their National Societies better prepared to address current and future challenges more efficiently.

Several key topics were discussed, including emergency recovery and planning, humanitarian appeal access tools, operational strategy, and funding requirements.

During the last three days of the course, the participants practiced virtual scenarios on coordination, assessment, and planning for disaster rapid response teams, to upgrade emergency response and improve coordination with the competent authorities, including Al-Khor and Al-Dhakhira Municipality, Al-Khor Hospital, and DIMC.

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About Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS)

Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is Qatar’s first humanitarian and volunteering organization that aims to assist and empower vulnerable individuals and communities without partiality or discrimination.

QRCS is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 191 National Societies. It is also a member of several GCC, Arab, and Islamic organizations, such as the Islamic Committee of International Crescent (ICIC) and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO). In this legally recognized capacity, QRCS has access to disaster and conflict zones, thus serving as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its humanitarian and social efforts — a role that distinguishes it from other local charities and NGOs.

Both locally and internationally, QRCS has relief and development operations in numerous countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central and South America. Its humanitarian mandates include disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and risk reduction. To mitigate the impact of disasters and improve the livelihoods of affected populations, QRCS provides medical services, food, water, shelter, and other needs of local communities. It is also active at the humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy front.

With the help of a vast network of trained, committed staff and volunteers, QRCS aspires to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity, inspired by the seven Fundamental Principles of humanitarian action: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.