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MANILA — The Ambassador of the State of Qatar in Manila has participated in the inauguration ceremony and delivery of two mobile kitchens and a water tank truck to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
His Excellency Ahmed Saad Al-Homidi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of the Philippines, on behalf of Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), accompanied by Mr. Hasan Mehanna Al-Ajmi, Second Secretary at Qatar Embassy, participated in a turnover ceremony of Food Truck and Water Tanker, provided by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), through Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), to former senator Richard Gordon, Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO, and Dr. Gwendolyn T. Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross, in the presence of officials of the Philippine Cross Red, and media representatives.
The ceremony was held at the Philippine Red Cross Headquarters on Tuesday, August 01, 2023, in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.
The aid provided to the Philippine Red Cross is a truck equipped as a mobile kitchen to provide hot meals during the first period of disasters, and a water tanker to provide clean drinking water.
This urgent humanitarian aid comes within the framework of the extended Qatari assistance for the relief of friends in the
Philippines, and a commitment by the State of Qatar to alleviate suffering and strengthen international efforts in the field of emergency aid.
His Excellency Ambassador Ahmed Al-Homidi said in a message during the ceremonial turnover that the State of Qatar will always remain ready to support the Philippine Red Cross and the the friendly Filipino people, referring to the strong friendship between Qatar and the Philippines.
He expressed his hope for continued cooperation between the Embassy and the Philippine Red Cross.
Strengthening capacities for disaster response
For his part, Senator Gordon praised the assistance provided, and thanked the State of Qatar for its humanitarian efforts, considering Qatar an essential and strategic partner for the Philippines in this field, through its support for the Qatar Red Crescent, which works in coordination with the local partner, the Philippine Red Cross.
Former senator Gordon mentioned some examples of projects and contributions provided by the State of Qatar to the Philippines over the past years.
Furthermore, the Board of Governors of the Philippine Red Cross issued two resolutions on July 25, 2023, to commend Qatar Fund for Development and Qatar Red Crescent Society, for their related efforts and endeavors to provide urgent relief assistance, through the Philippine Red Cross, and to mitigate the effects on those affected by climate and humanitarian disasters.
It must be noted that the Qatar humanitarian aid program is being implemented in cooperation and partnership between the Qatar Fund for Development and Qatar Red Crescent, adding that the materials will be distributed on the ground urgently to those affected by Typhoon Pang, in cooperation and coordination with Qatar Red Crescent and Philippine Red Cross.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in a Tweet said the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) “previously donated two water tankers to the PRC. QRCS has donated more than Php305 million to various PRC disaster responses since 2012.”
Qatar Fund for Development’s donations through Qatar Red Crescent seek to strengthen the disaster response capacities of the Philippine Red Cross. (/)
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Source: Embassy of Qatar in Manila and Philippine Red Cross