(Al-Bireh, 16/8/2016): PRCS’ President Dr. Younis Al Khatib and its Director General Dr. Khaled Joudeh received at PRCS’ branch in Gaza City a delegation from the Canadian Red Cross chaired by its President Mr. Conrad Sauvé. Talks covered means to enhance cooperation as well as the two Societies’ partnership aimed at bettering the provision of humanitarian and health services to Palestinians.
In a meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Dr. Al Khatib described the humanitarian, health, psychosocial, relief and rehabilitation services offered by PRCS’ branches in the Gaza Strip. These services, he said, are provided to a local population which suffers due to Israel’s blockade and recurrent attacks, the last of which occurred in 2014 and resulted in extremely difficult conditions in the Gaza Strip.
The Canadian guests then visited several PRCS’ facilities in the Gaza Strip including Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis and the Society’s Rehabilitation Center where they watched the wheelchair basketball team training.
They also toured the PRCS’ Ability Development College which is the first of its kind in Palestine and allows students to major in Special Education and Rehabilitation. The third stop was at Al Quds Hospital in Gaza City, where doctors briefed their guests about hospital services, needs and development plans. A visit was also organized to the Society’s central warehouses during which information was provided about the receipt, storage and distribution of relief aid.
The next day, the Canadian delegation headed to PRCS’ HQ in Al Bireh. Delegation members were briefed about humanitarian conditions in the oPt and the diaspora, mainly in Syria and Lebanon, as well as about the challenges and risks faced by PRCS.
Mr. Sauvé expressed his satisfaction with this visit during which he became better acquainted with PRCS’ services and activities. He lauded the efforts made by PRCS’ teams and affirmed that his National Society will continue to cooperate with PRCS with a view to providing the best humanitarian and health services possible.
Dr. Al Khatib said this visit was part of continuous cooperation and coordination efforts with International Movement constituents aimed at enabling PRCS to provide better assistance to the most underprivileged groups. He praised the Canadian Red Cross for its continuous support of PRCS’ programs with a view to allaying the suffering of Palestinians, especially in the Gaza Strip.
The Canadian delegation also visited PRCS’ branches in occupied Jerusalem and Hebron where they perused the health and humanitarian services offered to the local population.
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