Cairo-(28/5/2010): the Chairman of the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent Board of Directors, Mr. Ahmad Hameed Al Mazroo’y and Mr. Iyad Hariri the Vice President for administrative and financial affairs headed a delegation visit to the PRCS Palestine Hospital in Cairo. The delegation was introduced to the humanitarian services provided there, especially for those patients coming from the Gaza Strip.
The delegation was accompanied by Dr.Younis Al Khatib, President of the PRCS. The group toured the hospital visiting patients as well as the intensive care unit, X-ray facility and labs. Al Mazroo’y conveyed his appreciation for the vital role the hospital plays in alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people in general and Gaza residents in particular. He also expressed his understanding of the hospital’s needs, promising to support it as part of the development plan drawn up in partnership with the PRCS.
It should be noted that the Hospital played a significant role during the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip in late 2008 and early 2009, attending to scores of injured patients who were able to reach Egypt despite the Israeli siege of Gaza.
This recent visit falls within the framework of the MoU signed last month during a visit by the PRCS President to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The MoU fosters the strengthening of relationships between the two parties, and allows for the implementation of medical relief and humanitarian and social projects to benefit Palestinians both in Palestine and throughout the Diaspora.
Moreover, as part of the framework of the aforementioned MoU, a convoy assembled by the UAERC carrying relief and medical supplies reached Gaza last Thursday. This was undertaken in partnership and coordination with the PRCS, the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC), the Palestinian Presidential Committee, and UNRWA. Seven hundred tons of food and medical supplies, (a total of 3.5 million dirhams), purchased in Egypt were transported by 40 trucks. This is an element of the humanitarian program run by the UAERC and entitled “Aghiethuhom” [Aid Them], which aims to alleviate the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip.
The PRCS will be responsible for distributing the medical supplies to hospitals in the Strip. Speaking about this, Dr. Al Khatib said, “This convoy is like a savior to the people of Gaza who have been suffering under the Israeli siege for the past three years.” He also mentioned that the bulk of the medical supplies, which were requested by the PRCS from the UAERC, in addition to food supplies are to be distributed by UNRWA, to those who suffer from chronic and terminal diseases.
Mr. Al Mazroo’y standing side by side with Dr. Al Khatib as the convoy left for Gaza, said; “This is the fourth convoy of its kind in less than a year. It is part of the continuous efforts of the UAE to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, to support the Palestinian people, and to improve their living conditions. The convoy was assembled under the direction of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president, and with the continuous assistance of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAERC President.” Mr. Al Mazroo’y also emphasized the UAERC’s continued humanitarian support for the people in Gaza despite the siege and border closures, in partnership with the PRC, the ERC, and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Dr. Al Khatib thanked the people and government of the UAE, and their national society for their continuous support to the Palestinian people in general and to the West Bank and Gaza Strip residents in particular. He also expressed his gratitude to the ERC and its President, Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak for their fraternal efforts towards the PRCS, acknowledging their role in supporting the Palestinian people.
Earlier, the UAE made a commitment to finance the installation of a cardiac catheterization unit at the PRCS Al Quds Hospital in Gaza for the total amount of 1.3 million USD.
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