Qatar Charity Launches Emergency Appeal for Yemen

1,000,000 People Benefit from

43,200 conflict-affected in Syria, 4,200 orphans’ families in Gaza, 120,000 people from different countries benefited from ‘Your Sacrifice, their Eid’ campaign
El Kuwairi: “We thank the Qatari people for donating to our sacrifices project which made the needy of 52 countries the world over happy

Around 1,000,000 people benefited from the sacrifices campaign for the year 1436 AH which QC implemented and called ‘Your Sacrifices, their Eid’ at a cost of around 14,000,000 QR.

Mr. Youssef Bin Ahmed El Kuwairi, QC’s CEO, expressed the relief he felt because the sacrifices project was successful. QC implemented this campaign with the help of its partners in 52 countries from around the world, including Qatar. It was able to make so many needy and low-income families, who could not provide their children with meat, happy.

The affected who suffered from exceptional circumstances were prioritized such as the Syrians inside Syria, the Syrian refugees in the neighboring countries, the Gaza Strip, Yemen, Somalia, etc.

El Kuwairi said, “I am mostly thankful to those who donated for this project in Qatar, and I pray Allah that He accept their good work and reward them. Most certainly, their donations were the reason behind making the needy happy and achieving social teamwork in Qatar.”

QC had already distributed more than 28,300 sacrifices during the season, which meant 500 tons of meat in 52 countries. More than 43,200 families inside Syria benefited from the project. It was implemented in Damascus and its countryside, Idlib and its countryside, Al Rastan, Al Houla and Talbiseh in the countryside of Aleppo, in the countrysides of Hama, of Lattakia, of Daraa, and Quneitra. In addition, 4,200 orphans’ families from the Gaza Strip and 120,000 Somalis benefited from the project.

Other countries in which the project was implemented:

Palestine, the Palestinian camps abroad, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi, Burundi, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Tanzania, Mali, Togo, Nepal, India, Chad, Central Africa, Angola, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Yemen, Bangladesh, Benin , The Gambia, Namibia, Lesotho, Sri Lanka, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Congo, South Africa, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan , Indonesia, Kosovo, Comoros Islands, Albania, the Philippines, Ghana, Bosnia, Ethiopia, and Georgia.

QC inaugurated a special campaign for pilgrimage and Eid Al Adha for this year (1436 AH). It included distributing the sacrifices inside and outside Qatar, giving people the chance to perform substitute Hajj, and distributing Eid clothing. Tens of thousands of people will benefit from this project.

The project was also implemented inside Qatar on the third and fourth days of Eid Al Adha. 2,500 sacrifices were distributed from which 12,000 people benefited, including 668 sponsored families with limited income.

Some of the Qatari volunteers helped in the distribution. In addition, QC, for the first time, offered delivery service using refrigerated cars. The sacrifices were given to the beneficiaries at their homes in Khor, Al-Shahaniya, Industrial Area (Sanaiya), and other areas inside Qatar.

This project also targeted the orphans’ and the low-income families, the indebted, the laborers, the divorced, Ramila Hospital’s inpatients, the laborers, courts, the bank, the mail, Al Qahira School, Al Cilia territory, and Abu Hamur territory and the Indian, Egyptian, Yemeni and Philippine communities.

You can donate to support such projects through the link: Click here

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QC Implements ‘Kiswit Eid’ (Ei

QC focused on the countries suffering from exceptional circumstance such as Palestine, Syria and Yemen
El Kuwairi, “‘Kiswit Eid’ project aims at making the orphans happy, especially that it’s Eid”.

In 33 different countries, 1,750 orphans enjoyed the Eid and became more hopeful for a better future thanks to Rofaqa initiative, one of QC’s initiatives.

This project is one of so many others which QC works hard to implement so as to bring joy and happiness to the hearts of its sponsored children in Eid Al Adha.

Love & Care

Countries which suffer from exceptional circumstances were focused on such as Palestine, Syria and Yemen. These countries’ orphans need all the love and care one can possibly offer. They suffer every single day that any ray of hope could be very useful to them.

However, QC did not forget about the orphans elsewhere. It’s project was implemented in India, Jordan, Philippine, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, the Comoros, Kyrgyzstan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mauritania, Kenya, Morocco, Chat, Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Niger, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, Sudan and Tunisia.

‘Eid Clothing’ campaign covered the orphans’ different needs. It included getting them shoes, and presents (based on their age and gender): shirts and pants for the boys, and dresses and shoes for the girls. More than 550 orphans benefited from the project.

Values of Mercy

Mr. Youssif Bin Ahmed Al Kuwairi, QC’s CEO, said, “We, at QC, made sure to prioritize the orphans, and pay extra attention to them. QC does its best to provide them with the necessary care they need. Plus, we all know that the reward our religion promises to those who sponsor orphans is great.”

He, then, added, “‘Eid Clothing’ initiative is only a means to compensate for their loss. Yes, it is not like parental love and care; however, QC works hard to make the orphans feel like they’re a part of something, a family. We know how important it is to stand by these orphans’ side; which is why supporting them is a priority.”

Through its ‘Rofaqa’ initiative, QC inaugurated ‘Eid Clothing’ campaign for the benefit of its sponsored orphans. The number of sponsored orphans from 31st of December 2013 until today reached 39,057 orphans from 35 different countries the world over.

Similar Projects

At the same time QC implemented ‘Eid Clothing’ project, it implemented ‘Your Sacrifice, their Eid’ campaign. Through this campaign, QC was able to provide 28,100 sacrifices (of bulls and sheep) in 54 countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe at a cost of 13,560,000) QR.

As for the Hajj season, QC implemented many projects which included ‘Substitute Hajj’, ‘Feeding Pilgrims’ and ‘Grouping Pilgrims’. Thanks to QC, 1,500 pilgrims performed substitute hajj at a cost of 5,700,000 QR. It also grouped 16 pilgrims at a cost of 152,000 QR and provided 25,000 meals for the pilgrims.

Comprehensive Care:

QC sponsors around 80,000 orphans from 35 countries. It offers them comprehensive care which includes education, health, shelter and other basics.

‘Rofaqa’ Initiative is a unique humanitarian initiative which is interested in helping orphans worldwide. It aims at reaching a complementary level of care for children and orphans. It wishes to offer a new vision based on comprehensive care to include social, educational, health and psychological aspects. ‘Rofaqa’ initiative, which was inaugurated in December 2013, was able to sponsor 39,057 orphans so far.

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QC Implements an Urgent Relief

QC the first charity society to reach the people affected by the Chapala Cyclone in Socotra and other Yemeni cities. It was able to relieve 3,000 affected.

The first charity society that reaches the cities where the cyclone hit, QC was able to implement an urgent relief campaign from which 3,000 people benefited. QC’s field team is currently assessing the situation and evaluating the damages as to prepare for another relief campaign soon. The coming campaign is meant to offer aids and to rebuild what’s been destroyed.

Since last Saturday, the campaign’s been in effect. 500 families which were affected by the cyclone in Socotra, Hadramaut, Al Mahrah, and Shabwah received aids.

QC has distributed food baskets to all the families which were affected. Each basket had supplies sufficient for a month such as flour, rice, sugar, cooking oil, baby milk, legumes, and others. In addition, the families received 4 blankets,4 mattresses, 4 pieces of clothes for children and kitchen tools.

As QC’s team is currently evaluating the damages the cyclone left, QC’s other teams are offering aids to the affected by Chapala Cyclone in the island. QC is working in cooperation with local organizations as a first step to launch an urgent relief campaign that includes distributing relief supplies and reconstruction plans.

Engineer Rashid bin Fatis Al Mari, QC’s Director of Relief, said that QC’s immediate response reflects its commitment to its humanitarian duty towards the Yemeni people. Unfortunately, they are suffering from the aftermath of war and natural disasters. “QC was the first charity society to respond and offer aids to the Chapala-cyclone affected. It has a well-prepared team that is trained to respond to disasters,” said he and expressed his hope that such aids would help alleviate the sufferings of the affected.

According to some reports, 15 people died; two of which were women and other two were children; and 2 went missing in the Megh Cyclone which hit Socotra. In addition, 500 houses were entirely destroyed while 3,000 houses were partially damaged because of the Chapala and Megh Cyclones which hit the island in less than two weeks. The statistics show that 10,000 people are currently displaced because of them. The cyclones were also responsible for uprooting hundreds of palm trees and the death of thousands of cattle, the loss of hundreds of fishing boats and the destruction of electricity columns and communication lines.

Furthermore, 840,000 people benefited from QC’s aids set aside for Yemen during 2015 because of the ongoing crisis there. The aids were distributed at a cost of 21,500,000 QR. They included foodstuffs, homes, shelters, blankets, cleaning tools, health projects, ambulances, medical supplies, and education projects.

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QC and 12 Humanitarian Organiz

His Excellency Abdul-Raqib Saif Fath, "QC has contributed to the alleviation of the sufferings of the Yemeni people."

QC hosted a preparatory workshop organized by QC and 12 other humanitarian organizations. It was attended by His Excellency Mr. Abdul-Raqib Saif Fath, Minister of Local Administration and the Chairman of the Higher Committee for Relief in Yemen.

The initiative committee included the Higher Committee for Relief, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Arab League, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (Saudi Arabia), The International Committee of the Red Cross (Switzerland), Qatar Charity Society, International Humanitarian City (Emirates), International Medical Corps (United States of America), International Islamic Charitable Organization (Kuwait), Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH Turkey), Start Network (Britain), and International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA in Switzerland).

The workshop was held for the preparation of the Conference of Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen: Challenges and Prospects of the Humanitarian Response. The initiators met for consultation, coordination and cooperation so as to face the deteriorating situation of the Yemenis and their increasing sufferings.

Humanitarian Contributions

During the workshop, Mr. Fath spoke about the great humanitarian efforts QC exerted to alleviate the sufferings of the affected Yemenis who have been suffering from the recent escalation of the crisis in their country.

In addition, he displayed to the attendants the humanitarian circumstances in Yemen and clarified the procedures that are followed in dealing with the situation. He explained, "Our work is divided into several stages. The first stage includes an urgent relief campaign for all of the territories. We are done working on this stage and we started with the second stage which covers the territories where hostilities have stopped. We identify the needs and in cooperation with our partners, we plan our response."

Mr. Abdul-Raqib commended QC's work. "QC is considered to be one of the most active humanitarian organizations in Yemen. With the continuous increase in the numbers of the injured in Yemen, QC's support to the Health sector is spectacular. The Health Sector requires bigger operating theatres and more ambulances," added he.

The conference seeks to unite the visions of the active partners in assisting the Yemenis. It aspires to set the floor for an exchange of information, reinforcement of applied procedures related to identifying the Yemenis' needs according to their type and geographical distribution. It is also to help develop the work plans and joint initiatives.

Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Ghamdi, QC's CEO of International Development, said that QC has proven its entire and continuous commitment to offering humanitarian and relief aids to the Yemenis. "QC has not spared any effort to alleviate the sufferings of the Yemenis and provide all the necessary means and supplies for a better life."

He also emphasized on QC's role in hosting and organizing the conference about the Yemeni crisis and how such efforts reflect QC's continuous work for the benefit of the Yemenis regionally and internationally. "QC always makes sure to coordinate, cooperate and exchange information with active humanitarian actors in the Yemeni crisis. It also prioritizes implementing relief projects inside Yemen considering the fact that its people are in deep need for aids. Many people who live there suffer from great shortages in drinking water, food and medications," said he.

QC, as Al Ghamdi said, will exert more efforts to respond to the most urgent calls for relief. It will cooperate with all of the active partners and the parties interested in the Yemenis' affairs, whether those related to the displaced, the besieged inside Yemen, or refugees outside Yemen in order to enable them to receive all of the means for a dignified life.

"Yemen, We Are With You"

It is worth mentioning that QC had already inaugurated a campaign entitled 'Yemen, We Are With You' when the crisis first started. It aimed at collecting a financial support of 36,500,000 QR in order to provide food and medication to around 1,260,000 Yemenis. QC also hosted the workshop on the humanitarian situation in Yemen which was attended by several humanitarian institutions from the Gulf and the Islamic World. The meeting resulted in creating a mechanism and a plan for urgent humanitarian intervention, and announcing commitments and pledges by the participants in order to hurry in offering urgent aids.

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QC Conducts a Field Survey to

This survey is one of its kind. It is a rich source of information for humanitarian actors in Yemen to help them assess the size of damage that happened to the different sectors: health, education, shelter, water and others.
Because of the current humanitarian crisis in Yemen, the rate of people living under poverty line reached 60%; that is 30% more than before.
Al Kuwairi, "We hope the survey will help in making the right plans and in effectively and efficiently using resources to face this crisis."

The Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen: Challenges and Prospects of the Humanitarian Response conference was organized by QC and 13 other regional and international organizations and networks. The conference was held at Marriott Hotel in Doha. QC had conducted a survey to evaluate the damage caused by the Yemeni crisis to the different sectors and to assess the needs of the affected Yemenis. During the conference, the results of the survey were announced.

This survey is considered one of its kind. It is a rich source of information added to other useful references that would help the humanitarian actors in Yemen assess the damage that happened to its different sectors. It would also help review the needs of all sectors, identify the priorities, and reinforce the society's capability to face and recover from the crisis.

Coordinating Efforts

Youssef bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, QC's CEO, said, "We made sure to conduct this survey because we understand the importance of identifying the amount of damage that has happened to Yemen and its infrastructure. This survey will help us prioritize our work, mobilize resources and coordinate between the humanitarian actors in Yemen. We hope it will help in making the right plans and in effectively and efficiently using resources to face this crisis." He also commended the work of other partners such as OCHA whose work is considered a main reference and humanitarian actors in Yemen, King Salman for Relief and Humanitarian Aid Center in particular.

The Greatest Crisis

The Yemeni crisis is considered one of the greatest crises around the world considering the number of people who were affected by it. 80% of around 26,000,000 Yemenis were affected. As estimated by the UN, the rate of people living under poverty line reached 60% (i.e. 35% more than how it was before the crisis).

Main Goal

The main goal of this survey is to assess the damage that the recent events caused to the following sectors: food security and food, health, water and sanitation, shelter and in-kind supplies, livelihoods and education. It was conducted to identify the needs of the affected people in some of Yemen's governorates. Other sub-goals included: evaluating and assessing the size of damage that happened to the sectors under survey, preparing a clear visualization of the urgent needs to face the bad conditions of the sectors under survey, preparing a group of programs and activities that would revive the economy and would secure livelihoods for affected communities, achieving a comprehensive work that joins between relief and development, and unifying the relief efforts of the active organizations which work in the fields of relief and development.

Qualitative and Quantitative Parts

For its quantitative part, the survey used a questionnaire, since it is considered one of the best research tools. The researchers carried out some interviews to receive real data and made use of all the documents of previous studies conducted in the same field.

As for its quantitative part, the survey used a focus group discussion (FDG) and observation as tools for receiving data.

Team Members

A field team conducted the survey under the supervision of a technical team based in Doha. The field team comprises a main researcher, 14 supervisors, 133 researchers and 14 managers (i.e. 162 members). In addition, there are 4 members in the technical team in Doha headed by Mohammed bin Ali Al Ghamdi, Executive Director of International Development.

Results in Figures

The following is a list of the most important results of the survey:

The total number of affected projects in the fields of water and sanitation is 735; i.e. around 17% of the total number of projects in the targeted areas.
656,747 families were affected because of the damage that happened to the fields of water and sanitation.
The educational sector is affected in around 78% of the affected areas.
2,987 schools were included in the survey; 949 of which were affected (i.e. around 32% of the total number of schools).
488,638 students were deprived from continuing their education because of the damage in the educational institution.
227 medical and health facilities were damaged; whether destroyed or lost.
Around two thirds of the communities under survey were confirmed to have been affected in the health sector.
Around 631,421 families were affected because of the damage in the health sector.
All of Yemen was affected in the field of food because of the recent events there. Around 99% of the areas were affected.
861,458 families could not have sufficient food.
2,500,000 people became displaced (i.e. 8 times more than the number when the crisis first started).
Taiz, Umran, Hajjah, Sana'a and Abyan are of the most affected areas in Yemen. The number of displaced people from all of these governorates reached more than 1,500,000 persons.

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Doha Hosts More Than 90 Region

More than 90 regional and international humanitarian organizations and 150 relief experts meet together to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Yemen throughout work sessions which began today. The sessions were entitled 'The Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen: Challenges and Prospects for Humanitarian Response'.
Organized by QC and in partnership with 13 regional and international organizations, the conference seeks to unify the vision of the active partners regarding the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. It seeks to strengthen the exchange of information and reinforce the follow-up mechanisms related to identifying the needs of the affected. The needs will be categorized based on their type and the geographical distribution of the areas. In addition, the conference aims at improving the action plans and initiatives between the partners.
The workshops and sessions of the first two days concentrate on evaluating the humanitarian condition in Yemen and identifying the needs of the different humanitarian fields such as education, health, water, sanitation, livelihood, economic empowerment, shelter, food and security. As for the third day, the meeting will be about displaying results, inaugurating initiatives, signing partnerships and alliances, and coordinating between field actors.
Abdul Raqeeb Fatah, Minister of Local Administration and Head of the High Relief Committee in Yemen, stressed the fact that the conference is, for the first time, establishing a clear and scientific relief database in Yemen based on scientific and field standards.
On the sideline of the conference, the Yemeni Minister spoke about the comprehensive survey that was conducted in 12 Yemeni governorates (out of 22 governorates) to identify the needs of the people and the suitable mechanisms for field work.
He also said that such conference is a real step towards achieving coordination between all partners through King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aids, Qatar Charity Society, or the Red Crescent organizations in the countries of the Cooperation Council and other humanitarian organizations and institutions.
He added, "We look forward to see 2016 stage of relief work free of errors and mistakes that usually occur during crises. We hope it would be based on coordination and evaluation as two complimentary and consecutive processes." The Yemeni Minister pointed that the conference is based on 4 main plans: the High Relief Committee in Yemen, King Salman for Relief and Humanitarian Aids, Qatar Charity and United Nations Office\ OCHA plans. He said, "These plans will be the actual phase of creating relief work based on science, data and information. The work will not be random and repeating committed mistakes would be avoided."

The Yemeni Minister invited the donors, from countries and organizations, to join the implementation of a comprehensive plan for short and long terms for the relief of the Yemeni people and rehabilitation of service facilities.

"We are mainly depending on creating relief work composed of two stages. The first would be urgent aids focused on people; the second would be about local development, mainly interested in reactivating services such as water, electricity, health and rehabilitating the infrastructure destroyed by the war," said he.

As for holding a conference for donors from different countries and governments, he clarified that, "Relief work is the responsibility of the humanitarian organizations and Red Crescent societies. We will also urgently plead through the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council that the governments would design plans that match and are in harmony with the plans of the international and humanitarian organizations and Red Crescent societies".

He also announced about a meeting that will be held on the 7th of next March. The meeting will set the foundation of a coordination and organization office for the relief work in Yemen. During the meeting, a comprehensive and unified plan for the countries of the Cooperation Council will be designed for the support of Yemen in different fields.

The Yemeni Minister highlighted the fact that the initiators responsible for holding this conference estimated the amount of money needed for covering the Yemenis' needs for 6 months only to be around 2,000,400,000 USD, while the Yemeni government estimated it to be around 1,000,400,000 USD.

He stressed the fact that such numbers are based on estimations. They might not be enough to revive Yemen nor to reestablish a normal life considering the fact that the war is still going and its impacts are destructive.

For his part, Abdullah Al Ruwaili, Director of Humanitarian Aids Management at King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aids, clarified that the Yemeni crisis needs huge support in order for the country's different sectors to be covered. He pointed to the amount of urgent aids Yemen needs as estimated by the UN, which was around 2,500,000,000 USD.

Al Ruwaili said that the disparity in the estimation of needs is ruled by the surveys actually conducted. "The situation in Yemen does not give us the opportunity to estimate the needs; however, the crisis shows that Yemen is in great need. We, in the Kingdom and Gulf, are committed to assisting our brothers and sisters in Yemen in whatever ways possible," he added.

Director of Relief Management at King Salman Center said, "Aiding our Yemeni brothers and sisters is not unnatural. We are bonded and they are like family to us. It is our duty to help them. If the crisis exacerbates, the results will not negatively affect Yemen only. It will affect us all." King Salman Center, as pointed Al Ruwaili, represents the humanitarian work in Saudi Arabia. It is one of the most active actors in solving the crisis mainly because the Kingdom is near Yemen, geographically speaking. "We offer our vision to solving this crisis because we are a neighboring country and we will be doing so in cooperation with the international labor system," he said.

For his part, Mohammed Ali Al Ghamdi, Executive Director of International Development at QC and the Coordinator of the Conference, said, "This conference is the first of its kind about the humanitarian situation in Yemen. Through this conference, we, along with our partners, seek to come out with an international initiative through which we could design a joint humanitarian response plan; one that joins between urgent needs and an early phase of recovery adopted by all the participants".

He also pointed to a comprehensive survey that includes several sectors conducted by QC to assess the damages resulting from the Yemeni crisis in cooperation with a team of qualified Yemenis. The survey was based on a scientific methodology and is now available at the conference.

The survey allows QC, its partners and the humanitarian actors to find out the amount of damage that is now in Yemen and the priorities which must be adopted so as to meet the needs of the affected Yemenis. It covers all the sectors and will be discussed during the technical workshops.

The Yemeni crisis is considered one of the greatest around the world considering the number of those who were affected. The population of Yemen is 26,000,000 people; more than 80% of them were affected by the crisis.

As estimated by the UN, the rate of people living under poverty line reached 60% (an increase of 35% in comparison with the rate before the crisis).

In Yemen, the service sectors are witnessing a severe breakdown especially in health, education and water as shown through figures and statistics estimated by humanitarian organizations and agencies.

QC's survey estimated the number of projects which were affected in the fields of water and sanitation to be 735 projects (i.e. 17% of the total number of projects in the targeted areas), while the number of affected families because of the damages in the water and sanitation sectors to be around 656,747 families.

It also showed that the sector of education was affected in around 78% of the affected territories. The number of schools included in the survey was about 2,987; almost 949 of them were affected (i.e. 32% of the total number of schools). 488,638 students could no longer continue their education because of the damage that happened to the educational institution.

QC's survey showed that the number of affected health facilities reached 227. The survey included destroyed or lost furniture and disposables.

In addition, it showed that in the field of food all of Yemen was affected. The total number of affected families who could not get enough food was about 861,458 families.

The number of homeless people reached 2,500,000; that is 8 times what was initially reported when the crisis first started. Taiz, Amran, Hajjah, Sana'a, and Abyan were some of the most Yemeni governorates affected by the crisis. The total number of displaced people from all of these governorates reached more than 1,500,000.

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Qatar Charity Launches Emergency Appeal for Yemen relief