Browsing 'charity' News

byVictoria Scott
Politics
byVictoria Scott
Politics

Qatar Red Crescent Society

The Qatar Red Crescent bringing aid to Aleppo earlier this year

On the heels of the Emir canceling Qatar National Day celebrations out of solidarity with people in Aleppo, many are asking how they can help Syrians in need.

One easy way in Qatar is to eat at restaurants in Katara Cultural Village and the Aspire Zone over the next three days.

This includes places like Mamig, Khan Farouk and Ard Canaan at Katara; and Sugar and Spice, Burgeri and Salad Boutique at Aspire.

All income generated on Dec. 15, 16, 17 from these restaurants will go toward helping Aleppo, the general manager of Katara has pledged.

Charitable giving

Additionally, many Qatar-based charities are still working in Syria and have been seeking financial donations to provide humanitarian aid there.

They include the Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF), Qatar Charity, Eid Charity and Qatar Red Crescent.

Together with 20 other humanitarian organizations working in Syria, they released a hard-hitting statement yesterday.

In it, they call on the UN to “fulfill its humanitarian obligations” by intervening to prevent “massacres and crimes against humanity” in the country.

Charity appeals

All four of the Qatar charities are running appeals designed to help people in Aleppo, as well as those spending the winter under canvas in refugee camps.

Here’s what they’re doing, and how you can donate:

Qatar Charity

The charity’s #Syriacoldandhunger campaign aims to feed, clothe and equip families to help them survive the winter.

Donations will go toward tents, caravans, winter clothing, blankets, baskets and family hygiene items, ingredients to run bakeries and kitchens, medical equipment, medical tool kits, ambulances and medicines.

A donation of QR200 will pay for a “food basket” and includes basic supplies that will last a family for a month. Meanwhile a hygiene kit for a family containing bathing soap, washing powder, toothpaste and toothbrushes and costs QR150.

You can either donate online or via SMS by sending the word “Syria” to 92632 to donate QR50, to 92642 to donate QR100, to 92428 to donate QR500 or to 92429 to donate QR1,000.

You can also phone the campaign hotline 44667711.

Raf Foundation

RAF’s campaign “The Winter of Mercy: Let’s Grow Warmth in Their Hearts” is aimed at collecting QR19 million in donations to provide basic necessities to 120,000 families in Syria and Iraq.

Food baskets, winter bags, caravan shelters and medicines will be donated to those who are displaced, and to refugees in Lebanon and Jordan.

Raf foundation campaign video (Arabic):

Donations can be made online, or by sending the text message “2” to 92648 to donate QR50 to Syrian refugees.

Contributors may also call RAF’s hotline at 55341818.

Eid Charity

This NGO is running a “Before the Cold Gets Them” campaign to help around 300,000 people in Syria and Iraq.

The charity plans to donate QR20 million to Aleppo and other provinces in Syria, and QR15 million to help those in Mosul and other affected areas in Iraq.

Some of the donations will go toward caravan shelters, food baskets, warm meals, children’s milk, tents and tent renovations.

Winter bags will also be given to adults (QR250 per person) and children (QR200). These will include: a pair of pants, coat, wool clothes, gloves, earmuffs, hat, socks, shoes and a shawl.

Donations can be made online, or you can call 40405555.

Qatar Red Crescent

During its “Warm Winter” campaign, QRCS is aiming to provide aid to 206,000 people with a total budget of QR10 million.

The campaign aims to help people in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and displaced refugees in Lebanon and Jordan.

However, the QRC is now appealing on Twitter for donations to tackle the immediate needs of people fleeing Aleppo:

The money raised will cover main necessities such as warm winter clothing, blankets, electric heaters, fuel and covers, as well as medical supplies and emergency vehicles.

You can donate online, by calling +16002, or by sending an SMS to 92766 to donate QR100, 92770 to donate QR500 or 92740 to donate QR1000.

Other international organizations

You can also help by donating to Syria Civil Defense (aka the White Helmets) here, and Medicins Sans Frontieres, which is supporting medical clinics in Aleppo, here.

This article also has some good suggestions of further charities abroad that would welcome your help.

Does anyone else have any suggestions? Thoughts?

byNada Badawi
Life
byNada Badawi
Life
Photo for illustrative purposes only.

michael davis-burchat/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

As winter closes in across the Middle East, several Qatar charities are preparing to provide urgent humanitarian aid to hundreds of thousands of people in Syria and Iraq.

According to UNHCR, some 4.8 million Syrian refugees have fled their country in the past five years. And a further 8.7 million people are predicted to be displaced within Syria itself in 2016.

Meanwhile, inside Iraq, there are currently 3.2 million displaced people, while 4 million have fled their homes.

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

UN/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

At least four Qatar charities have all launched winter campaigns for donations. The money raised will help provide food, clothes, blankets and shelter to refugees during the harsh cold months.

They are the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), Eid Charity, Qatar Charity and RAF.

In a statement, QRCS Secretary-General Ali Hassan Al-Hammadi said:

“While we are safe in our homes, we should never forget those homeless and destitute widows, orphans, elderlies, and patients who lost their homes and livelihoods.

They are in dire need of help as the cold winter approaches, and we also need to put an end to their pain, so that we may deserve blessings and reward from God.”

Here’s some information on how to help:

Qatar Red Crescent Society

During its “Warm Winter” campaign, QRCS will provide aid to 206,000 people with a total budget of QR10 million.

The money will cover main necessities such as warm winter clothing, blankets, electric heaters, fuel and covers.

The provisions will go to people in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and displaced refugees in Lebanon and Jordan.

The Qatar Red Crescent says it has delivered thousands of meals to Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

QRCS

The Qatar Red Crescent says it has delivered thousands of meals to Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Residents can donate online or call the hotline numbers (66666364 and 66644822).

Bank transfers are also accepted to QRCS’s account no. 11111-26666-202 (IBAN: QA28QIIB000000001111126666202) at Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB).

Other methods include texting a donation. Mobile users may send the message “13” to:

  • 92176 to donate QR50;
  • 92966 to donate QR100;
  • 92770 to donate QR500; and
  • 92740 to donate QR1,000.

Eid Charity

This NGO is running a “Before the Cold Gets Them” campaign to help around 300,000 people in Syria and Iraq, with a total budget of QR35 million.

The charity plans to donate QR20 million to Aleppo and other provinces in Syria, and QR15 million to help those in Mosul and other affected areas in Iraq.

Some of the donations will go toward caravan shelters, food baskets, warm meals, children’s milk, tents and tent renovations.

Winter bags will also be given to adults (QR250 per person) and children (QR200). These will include: a pair of pants, coat, woolen clothes, gloves, earmuffs, hat, socks, shoes and a shawl.

Eid Charity Caravan in Syria

Eid Charity

Eid Charity Caravan in Syria

Donations can be made online to help Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Upon payment, a confirmation will be sent to the e-mail address provided.

Residents can also make payments to any of the bank accounts affiliated with the charity.

Qatar Charity

QC will launch its campaign “Below Zero” at Gulf Mall today (Nov. 29).

The initiative targets beneficiaries in Syria to help aid families during winter.

Translation: They don’t miss winter, they’re afraid of it! Public Invitation. Place: Gulf Mall, Al Gharafa. Time: 10am to 1pm, and 3:30pm to 10:30pm. 

According to Al Sharq, an exhibition that uses technology will raise refugee awareness among Qatar residents and students.

There will be cut-out designs displayed to portray the plight of Syrian families.

Donations will go toward shelter, tents, well-equipped caravans, winter clothing, blankets, food baskets, ready-made meals, water, flour, bread, medical equipment, ambulance bags, medicines and the construction and operation of hospitals.

The exhibition is open until Dec. 4.

RAF

RAF’s campaign “The Winter of Mercy: Let’s Grow Warmth in Their Hearts” is aimed at collecting QR19 million in donations to provide basic necessities to 120,000 families in Syria and Iraq.

Food baskets, winter bags, caravan shelters and medicines will be donated to those who are displaced, and to refugees in Lebanon and Jordan.

According to RAF, QR11.6 billion is needed to meet the basic needs of Syrian refugees this year, with some 6 million children in need of urgent help.

There are also 6.7 million who are suffering from food insecurity.

Donations can be made online, or by sending the text message “2” to 92648 to donate QR50 to Syrian refugees, or “26” to 92648 to donate QR50 to refugees in Iraq.

Contributors may also call RAF’s hotline at 55341818.

Thoughts?

byShabina S. Khatri
Culture
byShabina S. Khatri
Culture
2016 Rota gala

Moza bint Nasser/Instagram

2016 Rota gala

A major fundraiser in Qatar to support education initiatives for Syrian refugees has netted more than $15 million.

A limited edition 2017 BMW M3 30, a trip to space for two and a necklace made of 582 Qatari pearls were among the most notable items auctioned off during last night’s Reach Out to Asia (Rota) gala.

The event marked the Qatar Foundation charity’s 10th anniversary.

It included appearances from the Father Emir, his wife and QF Chairperson Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and their daughter Sheikha Al Mayassa, who is chairperson of the Rota board.

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud also attended the event, whose theme was “Team up today, shape up tomorrow.”

Helping expat communities

Speaking during the gala, Sheikha Al Mayassa expressed the importance of empowering the youth so that they have a say in the decisions that will affect their futures.

According to the Gulf Times, she added that Rota wants to assist the communities of expats who have helped further Qatar’s development.

“A large number of expatriate workers have been involved in constructing stadiums and other infrastructure for the development of Qatar.

This is our way of thanking them by providing education to the children and empowering the youth in the countries of those workers,” she said.

QNA reports that the auction proceeds will go toward supporting some 180,000 displaced Syrian children in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

It will also be directed toward children in Bangladesh, Yemen and Indonesia.

Thoughts?