(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Mena Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Consultative Meeting being held in Doha yesterday discussed amendments proposed to the International RCRC Movement charter known as the Seville Agreement.
The three-day meeting is being hosted by the Qatar Red Crescent (QRC).
Preliminary deliberations about RCRC co-ordination and guidelines of using Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems in the media were among the topics of discussions moderated by QRC secretary general Saleh bin Ali al-Mohannadi.
The meeting, which concludes today, is being attended by senior officials from 31 Mena and non-Mena National Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organisation (ARCO).
IFRC secretary-general Elhadj As Sy spoke about the importance of the meeting as an opportunity to find out what is done by the National Societies in a region that has long suffered from crises but is known for extraordinary hospitality and generosity, even to strangers.
"They treat the refugees not as refugees, but as brothers who were forced to cross such a line called borders in pursuit of safety and shelter."
As Sy praised the dedication and sense of volunteers who provide life-saving services in Gaza, Yemen, Libya, and beyond. He expressed grief over the loss of some volunteers. "A total of 47 volunteers lost their lives in Syria, and two in Gaza, others were injured, and even more lost people they love, but they are still serving."
Asked about IFRC's vision under his leadership, As Sy said he believes in being always on the side of communities, building a strong global network, putting the right structures in place, and aligning the right resources.
Addressing the Mena National Societies, he said: "This is your time to have an impact, in light of your compelling stories, your humanitarian response, your knowledge, and your influence as an authority on humanitarian response that can find potential solutions to its challenges and problems."
IFRC under-secretary-general Matthias Schmale spoke of the objectives and expected results of the statutory amendments, the statutory committee, and branding.
Later in the day, the participants were divided into groups for specific discussions and preliminary consultations on co-operation within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Then, each group presented their findings to the plenary meeting, moderated by Schmale and Charlotta Relander, ICRC head of Movement Co-operation and Co-ordination Division.
Schmale said that the Mena region continues to be at the centre of the world in terms of conflict and humanitarian crisis, and so the region's 17 National Societies are important parts of the Federation, doing a lot of good work.
"I believe that your Societies are at the forefront of meeting key humanitarian challenges, but also they need our solidarity. My first message is: Thank you for what you do, which deserves admiration. The second message is that we, the rest of the community, will stand with you in solidarity, because you need it."
The event will conclude today with discussions about recommendations for the World Humanitarian Summit to be convened by the United Nations in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2016, and how to engage the Mena National Societies strongly in preparing for it and contributing to its success.
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