FROM LEFT: Philippine Ambassador Crescente R Relacion, Sheikh Aaish Al
Kahtani from Dahwa, and Sultan Mohammed Al Kaabi and Naif Al Mannai from
Community Police during Qatari Solidarity Day with the people of
Somalia and the Philippines and (RIGHT) Philippine School Doha stu
The Peninsula
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Qatar yesterday launched a drive to raise aid for victims of Typhoon
Haiyan in the Philippines and people affected by floods in Somalia, by
observing Solidarity Day.
‘Qatar’s Solidarity Day with People of the Philippines and Somalia’ was
held at malls, schools, and government and private organisation offices
across the country.
The month-long drive was launched by Qatar Charity, Red Crescent,
Sheikh Eid Charity, Sheikh Jassim Charity, Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah
Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF) and Al Asmakh Charity to
raise cash and relief materials.
A live programme was broadcast from the Villaggio Shopping Mall on Al
Rayaan TV, Qatar TV, Al Jazeera Mubasher, Qatar Radio, Qatar Quran and
Sout Al Khaleej Radio.
People communicated with representatives of charity organisations and diplomatic missions.
Individuals and organisations can hand over relief materials to
charities and deposit cash in assigned bank accounts, for which details
could be obtained form Qatar Red Crescent.
The Philippine School Doha organised a fundraiser among its students and raised more than QR35,000.
Al Asmakh Charity donated 42 tonnes of relief goods, according to Qatar News Agency.
QNA quoted QRC Chairman and Head of the Solidarity Day, Dr Muhammad bin
Ghanim Al Ali Al Maadid, as saying the campaign is a social initiative
led by charity societies in Qatar that play an active role in
humanitarian services in co-operation with other local NGOs.
“Our objective is to help our brothers and sisters in Somalia and the
Philippines face this disasters that have claimed the lives of
thousands. There are hundreds waiting for our support and immediate
action.
“The people of Qatar have a leading role in relief efforts as we deem
it a religious and humanitarian obligation and it is one of Qatar’s
basic principles.
“Somali and Filipino communities in Qatar have a great share in our
path of development, and we should rush to help them at the time of
distress,” said Al Maadid.