Regional Briefing for Consolidated Humanitarian Appeal 2012 Begins Proceedings

Doha, April 05 (QNA) - The "Regional briefing for consolidated humanitarian appeal for 2012 started here on Thursday”. The event is being held in cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). During his speech at the inauguration ceremony, HE Assistant Foreign Minister for International Cooperation Affairs Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Jabor Al Thani reiterated Qatar's interest and commitment towards bolstering and deepening the dialogue over humanitarian crises on the regional level with international partners, with the aim of resolving such crises and improving the humanitarian response to the needs and challenges facing victims. HE indicated that 2011 witnessed acute humanitarian crises as a result of the drought at the African Horn in addition to armed conflicts and internal disruptions. Qatar hosted the call for a unified humanitarian appeal in 2011 in partnership with the OCHA in belief of the importance of mobilizing the international community to adhere and commit to its responsibilities in mitigating human suffering in a number of countries around the world, he added. The efforts are applied in the context of planning and coordination as well as working on the crucially of the optimum allocation of resources in line with fulfilling needs. HE the senior official explained that the State of Qatar hosts the 2012 regional appeal session with the purpose of informing regional and international officials and professionals in the humanitarian field on a unified appeal for 2012. The session will focus on Somalia and Sudan with the goal of presenting an opportunity for challenges and needs in these countries. The State of Qatar was a pioneer with its humanitarian organizations responding to the African Horn famine and spared no effort in participating in bringing peace and security to the region as well as seeking all methods towards relieving the aftermath of conflicts and crises, in recognition that development does not flourish in absence of stability and security, HE the Assistant Foreign Minister for International Cooperation Affairs explained. HE the Assistant Foreign Minister for International Cooperation Affairs Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Jabr Al Thani stressed that increasing pressures and challenges on the donor countries' economies should not impede commitment towards international community agreements. Qatar follows with concern the downfall of the humanitarian situation resulting from the continuous siege on Gaza, in addition to the ongoing complications and harassment regarding the entry of reconstruction materials, he added. This is in addition to the increasing settlement rates and Judaization of occupied Palestinian lands, specifically Al Quds, Jerusalem. HE addressed the situation in Syria, explaining that it is dangerously worsening and requires intensifying efforts to move quickly and send aid to save victims and ease their suffering. Qatar calls on humanitarian nations and institutions to take a strong stance in face of obstacles crippling the smooth entry of aid into the affected lands. A meeting will be arranged on the occasion of this session with the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, the Islamic Cooperation Council, and the Arab League to discuss lifting restrictions imposed on aid entry as preventing this is considered to be a blatant violation of international agreements concerning human rights and international human rights law, HE explained. It also violates the Red Crescent's and Red Cross's international code of conduct as well as all values, traditions, and religions. HE the senior official concluded his speech by thanking the OCHA, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) , the Arab League, and all attending delegations for their participation at this important session. For his part, Ambassador Attaa al Mannan Bakhit , Assistant, the OIC's Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs said in a similar address before the opening session conveyed similar thanks to the State of Qatar , its leadership and people for hosting the humanitarian appeal this year. This, he said in considered an extension of the role of Qatar and its contributions in support of the humanitarian action at the regional and international levels, a trend which we all feel it evident in the growing role of this country in the humanitarian field, where all reasons for the successful humanitarian action, are made available through an initiative government and generous people and the effectiveness of humanitarian organizations. Attaa al Mannan Bakhit further said that Qatar is one of the most important donors to all our projects humanity, which is the major donor to funds of the Organization of Islamic cooperation, and looked forward that Doha would soon host the permanent headquarters of the secretariat of funds, the matter which makes it the second place for the humanitarian organization's activity. He stressed that the State of Qatar and its institutions were more supportive of the humanitarian work of the organization since its inception; the first thought and offered him money and men. Ambassador Atta al-Mannan that hosting the State of Qatar for this event important expresses the faith of this country's leading humanitarian role is essential that the organizations of the United Nations, and in the mean symbolism keenness of Islamic countries to support the humanitarian activities of United Nations organizations, including ownership of the possibilities, though I said. At the end of his speech, ambassador Mannan conveyed thanks to all active humanitarian organizations in Qatar for its continued support and responsiveness with their active initiative of humanity, and accorded special thanks to the Qatar Red Crescent, and the Qatar Charity, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Eid and the Raf Organization and others. (QNA)