The Dead Sea (20/10/2010): PRCS President Dr. Younis Al Khatib chaired the Society’s delegation which took part in the 8th Asia and the Pacific Regional Conference held by IFRC in Jordan from 17 to 20 October 2010.
PRCS’ delegation also comprised Dr. Fathi Fleifel, Head of the Psychosocial support Programme, Mr. Basheer Ahmad, Head of the Disaster Management Unit and Mr. Wa’el Qa’dan, PRCS’ Head of Planning.
The 3-day Conference tackled IFRC’s quadrennial orientations for Asia and the Pacific, in line with its ten-year plan; sound disaster response preparedness; and readiness to save lives. Moreover, several working groups were established to discuss issues such as building stronger national Societies, mitigating disaster risks, health issues, success stories and working with other organizations.
The Conference shed light on the concept of humanitarian diplomacy by focusing on migration, internally displaced persons, humanitarian laws, mobilizing funds and cooperation within the International Red Cross/Crescent Movement. It also discussed voluntary culture, increasing youth participation, promoting youth action, children in armed conflicts, the role of youths in good governance, and enhancing voluntary services in a changing society.
PRCS presented two papers during this Conference, one on disaster management and effective preparedness, and the other on children in armed conflicts.
The first paper discussed means to increase local communities’ readiness to face disasters and cope with them, relevant programs as well as cooperation with CSOs to build a society that is capable of facing disasters, as well as effective preparedness.
The second paper focused on children in armed conflicts, the importance of caring for them as the most disadvantaged category in this case, the need for continuous interventions during conflicts as well as for rehabilitation programs in their aftermath, the need to give a bigger role for youths in volunteers in program implementation, and developing the capacities of children so that they integrate national Societies in the future.
PRCS’ delegation had held a meeting for PRCS’ friends with the participation of representatives from 40 national Societies in order to discuss conditions in the Gaza Strip following the latest Israeli attacks on the Strip, as well as PRCS’ actions and future orientations in Lebanon.
Dr. Al Khatib briefed participants on the awful humanitarian conditions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip caused by Israeli occupation practices, the Wall of Separation which greatly impacts the lives of Palestinians, land confiscation and settlement building. Al Khatib also touched on the tragic living conditions in the Gaza Strip due to the blockade imposed by Israel, urging the international community to intervene to lift this unjust blockade. “PRCS has had to shoulder the very heavy health consequences caused by Israeli occupation practices both in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
PRCS staff have made great sacrifices to heal the wounds of Palestinians. Despite all hardships, PRCS has made huge efforts, mobilizing community members to face the humanitarian consequences of occupation practices”, he added. Al Khatib also touched on humanitarian services provided by PRCS to Palestinian refugees, mainly in Lebanon, where numerous health and social projects are being implemented by the Society.
Dr. Qa’adan briefed participants on the 6th Partnership Meeting held by PRCS in Ramallah on the 5th of October. He also touched on humanitarian and social conditions in both Gaza and Lebanon.
Dr. Fleifel spoke about future orientations and plans that will govern PRCS’ action, mainly continuing to provide services and to implement programs, enhancing PRCS’ action through a complementary community-based partnership. “In the future, PRCS will focus on mitigating disaster risks, enhancing the capacities of and interaction by beneficiaries, improving the quality of services and developing PRCS to the benefit of Palestinians.
On the sidelines of this Conference, PRCS’ delegation held numerous meeting and encounters with Arab and foreign national Society representatives. These meeting discussed issues of mutual interest aimed at strengthening PRCS’ humanitarian interventions as well as at enhancing the role played by partners in healing the wounds of Palestinians.
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