Gaza - 4/5/2016: PRCS inaugurated a community centre at Al Karara beach to the South of the Gaza Strip. The centre, which is to operate under the Society’s Psychosocial Health Department, aims at allaying the psychological pain witnessed by Gazans as a result of Israel’s blockade and recurrent attacks on the Gaza Strip. It was built with support from the Danish Red Cross, the Italian Red Cross, the Qatar Red Crescent and the Danish Roskilde Foundation. The centre’s inauguration ceremony was attended by PRCS’ President Dr. Younis Al Khatib, PRCS’ Director General Dr. Khaled Joudeh, Ms. Hanna Line Jakobsen, President of the Danish Red Cross, a delegation from the Italian Red Cross and representatives from partner organizations.
In his speech, Dr. Al Khatib said the centre will contribute to the development of psychosocial support programs and is the fruit of coordination and cooperation with both International Movement constituents and sponsors. The centre aims at strengthening PRCS’ community-based activities in the Gaza Strip and ensuring access to the largest number of children and women who need psychosocial support, he added.
Ms. Jakobsen expressed her joy at this visit to the Gaza Strip and commended the important humanitarian and community-based work carried out by PRCS’ branches in the Gaza Strip. She said that cooperation with PRCS will continue with a view to responding to local community needs.
Mr. Francesco Mr Francesco Caponi ,Deputy-Director of International Affairs at the Italian Red Cross, lauded the Palestinian Society’s work in the psychosocial field and said that the centre will help reduce the suffering of Palestinians. Dr. Akram Nassar, Director of the Qatar Red Crescent office in the Gaza Strip, said that cooperation will continue between his Society and PRCS and that more joint programs are in the pipeline with a view to reaching out to those in need. As for Ms Trine Henningsen from the Danish Roskilde Foundation, she thanked PRCS for this great achievement which will cover the needs of numerous families and children.
The centre shall offer an array of community-based activities including training courses, workshops and psychosocial support programs. It also provides a safe recreational space for children where they can enjoy playrooms, playgrounds and a garden. All activities will be supervised by a team of psychosocial experts.
A tour of the Society’s branch in Khan Younis had been organized for delegations attending the inauguration ceremony during which they were briefed about activities and programs carried out at the Psychological Health and Rehabilitation Centre, the Open Studio, Al Amal Hospital, the Capacity Development College, the Rehabilitation School as well as in vocational training workshops. A number of attendees also visited PRCS’ Al Quds Hospital in Gaza City where they surveyed services and equipment and learned about the hospital’s main challenges and the aspirations of its staff.
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