Qatar Charity starts Darfur relief mission
Aug 28, 2005 (Doha) — QATAR Charity (QC) has announced the start of its relief mission in south Darfur, to alleviate the suffering of some 45,000 people living in the war-ravaged zone.
QC’s executive manager, Abdullah al-Nea’ma, told reporters on Thursday that the relief operation, which ends in December 2006, will give priority to the immediate needs of the inhabitants. The cost of the mission is QR1,745,738, al-Nea’ma said. He urged those able to donate to contribute to the cause.
He said that QC would concentrate on education, water and food supply, healthcare, and reviving the two main skills of the inhabitants – shepherding and agriculture.
Some 2,000 students would benefit from the QC operation with more seats to be offered for basic and high school education.
The society intends also to support some 1,030 families through farming projects.
The organisers hope to make drinkable water available to some 45,000 people and 40,000 sheep.
Mobile medical teams will be pressed into service to cater to some 10,000 displaced people.
The society also has plans for the adoption of 200 children orphaned during the civil war.
The official said that QC’s Sudan office will send a periodical assessment of the humanitarian activities to Doha.
Admitting that the initiative was late due to “technical” reasons within the society, al-Nea’ma said that QC was involved in a previous programme last August, which benefited 1,107 families.
He praised the courage of QC staff abroad, saying they were risking their lives in war zones without expecting any reward.
When asked about the co-operation of the local authorities, the QC official said that the society got all the approvals from them.
“We are entering Darfur through the doors, not through the windows,” al-Nea’ma said.
He said that QC is looking to co-operate with other charities, including UN relief organisations and the World Bank.
The Darfur programme is an initial step towards further relief operations in other parts of the world, such as the Balkans and the Gaza Strip, and disaster-hit countries such as Niger, the QC official said.
“Qatar has a message to convey in the humanitarian field,” al-Nea’ma said.