QC Launches QC’s Social Network

Arsel Al-Amal (Send Hope) Initiative Continues to Provide School Meals to the Deprived Students in the Middle East

Pizza Hut in Qatar inaugurated “Send Hope” initiative supported by QC to provide school meals to the deprived students in the Middle East by supporting school nutrition projects of the UN’s World Food Programme.

This initiative allows Pizza Hut’s costumers, in all of its branches, in Qatar to donate to ‘School Meals’ project the amount they want. The donation is added to the costumers’ bills. With each Qatari Riyal given, a child will receive a meal at school. These children will have a better future to aspire for.  

Last May, QC and WFP signed an agreement in WFP’s headquarter in Rome, Italy, to fight hunger and malnutrition, and to bolster food security worldwide. This strategic cooperation will strengthen the private sector’s role in the battle against these life-threatening challenges which threaten the lives of millions of people whether in the times of peace or conflict. These challenges also hinder the developmental efforts exerted in many countries.

Abdullah Al-Wardat, WFP’s representative and the Gulf’s Office Director, said, “We sincerely thank Pizza Hut for this great initiative which supports the Programme’s efforts to fight hunger and malnutrition by providing students with school meals in the Middle East. Our strategic cooperation with QC offers a chance to the Qatari private sector’s companies, which understand that fighting hunger and malnutrition is the primary element for their success and for the community’s stability. The companies also understand their moral duty towards the children and the country.”   

In a press release, Sterling Cos’ representative, Pizza Hut franchiser in Qatar, said, “It’s our pleasure to cooperate with QC to implement “Send Hope” initiative. We hope it would help support WFP’s efforts to give meals to more than 2,600,000 needy students in the Middle East. I hope this would bring hope to their hearts; I hope it makes their lives better. Education is essential to build a bright future, especially to those with a limited income.”

Mr. Jassim Al-Mansouri, QC’s Marketing Manager, expressed his gratitude to Pizza Hut for this initiative, and expressed his happiness with this cooperation to serve the school children.  He also showed his great trust in the companies of the private sector in Qatar and how sure he is that more companies will be involved in supporting such initiative. The private sector is known to be very generous and to have a sense of responsibility towards the needy communities around the world. Its efforts will stand as the practical application of the agreement which QC had signed with WFP. “Send Hope” is expected to be well received for its noble goals.

This cooperation between QC and WFP represents an opportunity for the private sector in Qatar to be more involved in supporting the fight against hunger by supporting QC’s and WFP’s campaigns for collecting financial and in-kind contributions according to the procedures of Human Appeal International. Companies are aware of the fact that by fighting hunger, ending malnutrition and bolstering food security, they can achieve success. They are also aware of the moral duty behind such battle.

• 2,500,000 benefited from a huge water project; only 12% had access to drinking water before that.

Garut City in Indonesia suffered from dire shortage of drinking water; its people used to get only 12% of clean water. Now, however, thanks to QC things changed to the better.

QC and Mr. Rudy Gunawan, City Chief, signed an agreement in September 2014. As stated in the agreement, QC would provide 2,500,000 people living in Garut with clean water through digging 350 wells in one year. The project was implemented at a cost of 1,750,000 QR.

Goodbye Water Ponds

Mr. Gunawan said, “The water QC provided the city with entirely replaced the water ponds the people used to use for their wudu’ (ablution), their personal cleanliness and at schools. To be honest, when I signed this agreement last year, I did not expect the project to be this huge! I even told my colleagues that it would be great if they only dug 50 wells. We had met many institutions and I cannot begin to tell you the promises we’ve heard; however, QC did not make any promises. No, QC implemented. QC got the job done. I sincerely thank QC and the philanthropists who spent their money on this project so that our city would get clean water. It is a prevention project that will help protect us from diseases and will help the future of this city.”

The Fruit of Doing Good

Garut city has an area of 300 km2 and a population of 2,500,000 people. It basically depends on agriculture and is considered to be the neediest city for water in Indonesia.

The agreement, signed last year (2014) between QC and the Indonesian government, stated that by the end of September 2015 QC will have dug 350 wells.

The implementation of the project started immediately after the agreement was signed. QC, first, identified the neediest regions and villages for these wells; then started the implementation. Many schools, health centers and mosques benefited from this project.

The inauguration of this project was attended by many officials and senior figures. Each dug well had 5 water taps, and two toilets sometimes.

Mr. Karam Zeinhom, QC’s Office Director in Indonesia, said that such water projects were the fruit of QC’s good doing in Indonesia. “In fact, the services related to people’s lives and health conditions are always a priority,” said he.

QC, as Mr. Zeinhom clarified, does not spare an effort to help the needy in Indonesia; it is part of QC’s humanitarian message to the world. He also added that QC will not stop until it helps its brothers and sisters in Indonesia.

Thousands of Projects

It is worth mentioning that QC’s office has been working in Indonesia for 10 years. The total of the money spent in the past years reached 30,000,000$ (100,000,000 QR). QC had also signed an agreement with the Ministry of Religions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a while ago to renew the work in the humanitarian field for 3 years at a budget of 10,000,000$.

QC recently opened a big educational center after it had built and equipped it at a cost of 2,196,000QR. It was inaugurated in the presence of some officials, senior figures, a representative of the Qatari ambassador in Indonesia, a delegation from QC and the donors.  Mr. Rashidbin Fatis Al Mari, Deputy of QC’s CEO of Global Development, His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Al Badir, Representative of the Qatari Ambassador in Indonesia, and Mohammed Abdul Jaleel Abdul Ghani, Representative of Al Abdul Jaleel family, the donating philanthropists.

QC continues to implement income-generating projects for the benefit of the poor regions in Indonesia. These projects included handing the ownership of sewing machines, distributing dairy cows, and motorcycles to carry goods.

These projects are part of QC’s efforts in developing the targeted communities in Indonesia. It is a kind of support to the universal efforts to achieve the developmental goals for this millennium. In addition, QC seeks to contribute to the achievement of self-sufficiency projects that can get the poor families fixed-income to guarantee their dignity. 

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

Ms. Booth: “I chose QC because I already knew its excellent work in the field of charity in general and for the Palestinians in particular.”

After receiving an invitation from QC, Ms. Lauren Booth, a journalist and British activist, visited QC in Doha so as to work together to support the Palestinian families which suffer from poverty and the siege.

Ms. Booth is considered to be one of the most famous pro-Arab activists who helped break the siege which was imposed by the occupation on the Gaza Strip. She is currently dedicating her life and efforts to guarantee a better life for the Palestinians.

Poverty and Unemployment

Through its one-week visit to QC, Ms. Booth sought to cooperate with QC to help the affected Palestinian families, and to implement economic and social projects for the victims of poverty, unemployment, Israeli attacks and the siege.

During her visit, Ms. Booth met a number of QC’s officials who, together, discussed the sufferings of the Palestinians; especially those living in the Gaza Strip. They also discussed their need for aids and relief campaigns because of the horrible situation they’re living in.

Many QC projects were displayed during the meetings to show the important role of these developmental and relief projects in stabilizing the Palestinian families’ circumstances. Some income-generating projects implemented by QC in Palestine were displayed such as providing dairy cows, sheep, poultry, means of transportation, and others.

These projects helped provide a fixed income for hundreds of Palestinian families, and helped create many job opportunities for the unemployed. In addition, it changed so many families to become productive. As a result, the number of beneficiaries increased. 

Ms. Booth’s visit included attending a number of activities such as participating in an event with the Qatari Business Women Association in cooperation with the Youth for Jerusalem Association, the women’s department; attending a lecture at a Holy Quran memorization center; and visiting some senior figures.

Alleviate the Suffering

Ms. Lauren Booth expressed her happiness for visiting QC and knowing about its different humanitarian projects in Palestine. “After having lived with the Palestinians, I understood exactly how much they suffer and how much help and support they need. Their circumstances are getting worse day by day because of the occupation and the siege. I chose QC because I know about its excellent work in the field of charity in general and for the Palestinians in particular. QC’s projects in Gaza are very important in providing a living for the people there,” said she.  

She also spoke about how when she first went to Palestine, she was surprised to see the amount of suffering the Palestinians were going through, and it was that which made her exert all the efforts she could to help alleviate their sufferings.

“QC’s projects in Palestine are distinguished, and I hope these projects increase in number. I know how generous the Qatari people are; especially when it’s about their brothers and sisters from other countries. These projects, definitely, help the Palestinians and help fight poverty and unemployment,” said Ms. Booth.

A Better Life

It is worth mentioning that QC was recently able to implement thousands of income-generating projects in Palestine which helped thousands of families have a better life. The beneficiaries included widows, orphans, breadwinners, poor people, the unemployed and other needy categories.

QC had also inaugurated ‘We Build Palestine’ campaign to contribute in the development of the Palestinian people inside and outside Palestine as part of ‘Hand in Hand We Build Palestine’ campaign. This campaign finances and implements huge development projects at a cost of 197,826,000QR. It is expected that 1,147,000 people will benefit.

QC’s projects target all of the Palestinians in Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and the Palestinian refugees in the refugees’ camps of Lebanon and Jordan.

 ‘Hand in Hand We Build Palestine’ campaign was first inaugurated as a relief response to the circumstances facing the Palestinians in general and the people living in the Gaza strip in particular; taking into consideration the destruction the last Israeli attack caused. More than 2,000 people were martyred and 11,200 were injured, and thousands of families were displaced and their homes were destroyed.

QC continues to fight unemployment through implementing and supporting income-generating projects, and contributing to the enhancement of food situation in the poor societies. In the Comoros, for example, QC’s office supported one of the agricultural cooperatives there.

The Cooperative is taking place in Azew in the north of Ngazidja Island. Its members include some young farmers and graduates from agricultural institutes. QC’s support was through cultivating and planting a 10-hectare field, planting fruit trees (1,000 banana trees, 6,000 sugarcanes, and 500 pineapple trees), different vegetables and potato.

The equipment was delivered to the cooperative during a ceremony held by QC in the Comoros. Several senior figures attended such as His Excellency Mr. Jaber Nasser Al Na’imi, Chargé d'affaires of Qatar Embassy in Moroni; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Agriculture in the Comoros, some local officials from the North of Ngazidja Island and Mr. Mahfouz Zmirlin, QC’s Office Director there.

In his speech, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Agriculture commended Qatar’s efforts in supporting the people of the Comoros and praised the Qatari charity organizations in general and QC in particular for its distinguished projects. QC has implemented projects to fight unemployment and poverty, to reinforce the youth in the field of agricultural cooperatives, and to enhance the food and economic statuses of the country. He also encouraged QC to implement more agricultural projects.

This project is beneficial in so many ways; it plays a role in enhancing the food situation of the people of the Comoros, it is part of the income-generating projects, it fights diseases caused by malnutrition, it helps the unemployed become more independent, it contributes to the development of the countryside and the local economy, it is expected to contribute to the increase of vegetables and fruits and to provide them in the local market thus increase the poor farmers’ income.

In the Comoros, agriculture is considered to be a conventional occupation. It depends on rainy seasons and is greatly connected to the difficult circumstances. It usually costs a lot which makes the youth give up on it as a profession and go look for a better job opportunity in another country.

In 2012, QC announced the inauguration of 430 income-generation projects through supporting poor families. QC did so through offering benevolent loans to help the people start small economic projects at a cost of 126,800 QR. Furthermore, QC supported and developed the infrastructure of the country’s institutions. At a cost of 876,849,3 QR, QC provided them with a building for official meetings in Moheli, and maintained the road connecting Wanani city with Nioumachoua (17 Km) so as to achieve social communication and encourage tourism.

In the past few years, QC equipped and repaired some of the schools and hospitals on the Comoros at a cost of more than 2,000,000 QR. The projects include 26 primary schools in Moheli which comprises 81 classrooms at a cost of around 1,500,000 QR. In addition, the projects were implemented to maintain 4 medical clinics at a cost of more than 500,000 QR.

It is worth mentioning that QC was the first humanitarian organization to open a field office in Moroni, the Capital of the Comoros, in 2010 in order to be able to supervise the humanitarian and developmental projects it is planning to implement in the coming years. 

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

• 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. 

• Al Ghamdi, "QC sponsored this project because it believes in the importance of coordinating between the active associations' efforts for the benefit of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon and in the importance of improving the outcomes of the relief work."

QC announced allocating more than 18,000,000 QR (5,000,000 USD) to support and finance the projects of the Union of Relief and Development of Associations in Lebanon, and to reinforce its partnership with acting institutions whose work is for the benefit of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon and the displaced in the territories near the Lebanon-Syria border.

Huge Audience

Mr. Mohammed Al Ghamdi, QC's CEO of International Development, was the one to announce the allocation initiative during the fourth annual conference which is held mainly to review the situation of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. It was organized by the Union of Relief and Development Association in Lebanon and sponsored by QC in Istanbul, Turkey. The conference was held in January (21-23) and was entitled 'So Their Boats Wouldn't Drown: Syrians Torn Between Harsh Asylum and Forced Migration'. Several officials attended the conference such as General Major Mohammed Kheir, Prime Minister of the Lebanese Government; Head of the Supreme Commission for Relief in Lebanon; a number of representatives of the Ministers of the Lebanese Government; Mr. Sulaiman Al Awadhi, Director of Humanitarian Affairs at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; Delegations from QC; High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; and tens of international, Arabic and Islamic Organizations.

In the opening session of the conference, Mr. Al Ghamdi announced the allocation of 3,000,000 USD to finance and support the Union's projects. He also announced the allocation of 2,000,000 USD to reinforce partnership with any association aspiring to work with QC in coordination with the Union according to the procedures followed at QC's administration of international development.

Importance of Sponsorship

According to Al Ghamdi, QC's sponsorship of this conference, which is held for the fourth time in a row, reflects QC's commitment to its role in offering relief to the Syrian people.  QC was one of the very first to respond to the Syrian people since the beginning of the crisis. QC believes in the importance of holding conferences and meetings which aim at coordinating between the active associations in order to improve the outcome of the humanitarian work.

Al Ghamdi headed the first session of the conference which was entitled "Syrians: Harsh Asylum and Migration'. During the session, Mr. Hussam Al Ghali, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor at the Relief and Development Associations Union, spoke about the current situation of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

The introductory statement was by Mr. Omar Khattab, CEO of Relief and Development Associations Union. He spoke about the improvement stages of the Union's work pointing out to the slogan of this year's conference which shows its aim. Its basic goal is to help and assist the Syrian refugees in Lebanon and to alleviate their sufferings now that they are left with two options only: either to go for harsh asylum or forced migration.

One of the very first speeches was the opening statement by Sheikh Ahmed Al Omari, Founder of the Union. He spoke about the establishment of the union and its continuous efforts for the coordination between active associations in relieving the Syrian refugees. He also mentioned the legitimacy it acquired from other societies and associations and the huge steps it's taken so far.

In his speech, Dr. Abdul Hafiz Eitani, Head of Boards of Directors of the Union, insisted on the importance of having a comprehensive, humanitarian vision that balances between the work on meeting the refugees' urgent relief needs and the economic and social development. "Economic and social development makes the refugees more independent. They will depend more on themselves and less on the aids. It will help so many individuals secure their needs depending solely on themselves," added he.

Conference's Papers and Workshops

The second day of the conference included holding a number of workshops. During the second session; which was about urgent relief (the procedures of making decisions and necessity for taking action); Mr. Mohammed Ardur, QC's Director of Crisis Response and Urgent Relief, presented a paper about the definition of 'urgent relief'. He emphasized on the informatic activities and quick response to reduce the impact of natural disasters and wars in terms of stopping and getting ready for them. As for Dr. Hani Al Banna, Head of the Humanitarian Forum, stressed on the refugees' need for urgent and immediate relief and the importance of allocating funds for emergencies, which is done in coordination with international parties and organizations. 

In general, this year's conference discussed a group of papers which spoke about different themes such as the situation of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the sufferings of the refugees in Arsal, Lebanon's way of dealing with the refugees, the refugees' rights, the definition of urgent relief, the role of charity organizations in making quick decisions, the refugees' need for urgent and immediate relief, the refugees' need for independence, the donors' need for developing the refugees, the impact of development on the refugees; community and hosting country,  how to enable the refugees to help themselves, group shelters (problems and solutions), camps as temporary solutions, impact of living in camps from social and cultural points of view, managing the residential camps during the crisis, impact of war on children, Syrian refugees: keeping their identities and facing the dangers of the society, impact of losing parents on children and alternate resolutions, children's rights and importance of psychological support, and drugs: their reality and psychological impact on refugees in Lebanon.

During the conference, 4 workshops were held on: joy in doing charity work, migration to Europe (pros and cons), problems facing the hosting society and the challenges they may face due to long periods of asylum, future of the new generation for the following 4 years without education and a medical workshop.

Beside the conference, the following courses were held: Relief Work to Improve Economy for the Future, the Sphere Standards and Their Application in the Field, and Role Small Development Projects in Empowering Refugees.

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