DOHA - The Qatar Authority for Charitable Activities (QACA) has announced the successful completion of its humanitarian campaign in the war-ravaged Lebanon, which was carried out with the support of leading charitable organizations in Qatar.
A press conference held in this regard on Tuesday was attended by representatives of QACA, Qatar Charity (QC), Qatar Red Crescent (QRC), Sheikh Eid bin Mohammed Al Thani Charitable association and Sheikh Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani Charity (SJTC)
Naji Al Aji, director of association and institutions affairs at QACA, said the visit of the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was instrumental in making the Lebanon relief campaign a huge success.
Mohamed Ahmed Al-Hail, executive director of SJTC, said his charity focused on the Lebanese families who fled to Qatar during the war. The charity provided financial and material aids to these families, in cooperation with QRC.
On QRC's role, Saleh Al Muhannadi, its deputy general secretary said, due to its membership in the national relief committee and the international protection given to it, QRC was able to play a great role in the relief efforts. The two hospitals, set up by the charity in Saida and in Bint Jbeil, were working during the war to provide urgent relief for the needy people.
Adel Al Baker, another QRC official said the charity offered accommodations and a monthly allowance of QR3000 to each Lebanese family who sought refuge in Qatar. The total number of Lebanese who fled their country to Qatar was 393, which included families.
Abdullah Al Nimah, executive director of QC, said his organisation was able to collect QR 5.2m to support the Lebanese. The charity worked in cooperation with Islam Online and Qatari Al Balagh Cultural Association to produce a programme for psychological support to the Lebanese, he said, adding that the charity is now working on an Iftar programme.
"We are trying to open an office there to support children and orphans," he said.
Khalid Zaeror, director of public relations and media at Sheikh Eid Charity said, the organisation provided around 350 houses to the affected. Also help was offered through schools in Beirut, Sidon and Tripoli, in addition to seven health centres which were set up for the purpose. The charity provided temporary shelters for more than 13,500 refugees in addition to other services, he added.
He said the organisation had worked out a six-month plan to rebuild Lebanon, in addition to providing more health centres.
"We tried also to help Lebanese Civil Defence and supported the citizens by setting up farms and other factories," he said.
© The Peninsula 2006
