The Qatari branch of the Red Crescent Society, the Qatar Red Crescent (QRC), was established in 1978. In 1981, it gained international recognition from the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva and joined the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). It is also a member of the Secretariat of Arab Red Crescent Societies in Jeddah. It became the first philanthropic organization in Qatar to establish a women's branch in 1982.
Contents
- Domestic activities
- Mali
- Gaza Strip
- Syria
- Sudan
- Partnerships
- Alleged Ties to Extremism
- Organization
- References
QRC is headquartered in Doha, but the organization works throughout the country. Their primary goal is to reduce detrimental effects of catastrophe and relieve suffering by contributing social and humanitarian services coinciding with the mission of its parent organization, the Red Crescent.
Domestic activities
QRC was the first voluntary charity organization in Qatar. It is very active in providing assistance and developing relief programs for victims of disaster worldwide. Within Qatar, their programs include social development, training and qualification, awareness and education, programs and medical service, and advocacy community issues. Internationally QRC engages in relief and humanitarian activities, development and empowerment, and advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy.
During the conflict in the Gaza strip in fall 2014, the QRC helped, with Qatari government contributions, by providing medical supplies and fuel for hospitals.
Mali
Qatar Red Crescent Society was the only humanitarian organization present in Northern Mali following the Islamist takeover. This presence raised questions over whether QRC was supporting the Islamists or helping local population. QRC’s stated purpose of the mission was to “distribute food aid to 1,000 households and conduct an assessment of the population’s needs in water, sanitation, health and food security.”
Gaza Strip
In the September 2014 Gaza conflict, QRC was on the ground providing medical and ambulance services. They also donated several million Qatari Riyals to provide relief for Gaza.
Syria
The QRC has also been active in Syria where it has engaged in ongoing humanitarian efforts to build roads in the Latakia Countryside and ensure secure transportation of those injured in the conflict to safer adjacent territories. They also launched a psychological support center in 2013 for refugees of the Syrian crisis.
Sudan
In West Darfur, QRC has been instrumental in providing agricultural machinery to improve the livelihoods of local communities. QRC has had a representative office in West Darfur to oversee its projects there since 2009.
Partnerships
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies partnered with Qatari state-owned Al Jazeera Media Network in May 2014. This agreement built on relations developed over several years between QRC and Al Jazeera. The goal of the agreement was to give a voice to the voiceless by drawing attention and support to the victims of disasters.
In coordination with QRC, the IFRC signed a partnership agreement in 2013 with Qatar’s Cultural Village Foundation (“Katara”) to help build more resilient and peaceful communities in the Middle East and North Africa.
In August 2012, QRC signed a partnership agreement with the Mali Red Cross to “ensure strong coordination in planning and implementing projects in Northern Mali”.
Alleged Ties to Extremism
Qatar Red Crescent Society has at times been accused of supporting Islamist and terrorist groups. In June 2012 when Northern Mali was taken over by Islamists, Qatar Red Crescent was the only humanitarian organization that was granted access to the territory by the Islamists.
In August 2014, the QRC raised more than $10 million at an event where the primary speaker was Hussam Badran, a Hamas leader who frequently supports bombing attacks in Tel Aviv.
Qatar Red Crescent is not the only Qatari charitable organization with alleged ties to extremism. Qatar Charity and the Sheikh Eid Bin Mohammad Al Thani Charity Association have also both been connected to terrorist groups.
Organization
The leadership of QRC includes the following individuals: