Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has opened a new centre of social psychological support in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, in partnership with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
The opening ceremony was attended by QRCS Gaza office head Dr Akram Nassar, PRCS president Dr Younis al-Khatib, top officials of the Italian Red Cross and the Danish Red Cross, and a slew of PRCS personnel and volunteers.
Dr Nassar commended the strong relations between QRCS and PRCS, which is playing a significant role in improving the psychological conditions of Palestinians, especially at times of war.
“The opening of this centre is part of QRCS’s continuous efforts to develop the psychological service facilities in Gaza, under its programme to relieve the victims of the 2014 war on Gaza. So far, this programme has covered more than 6,000 families”.
Dr al-Khatib said PRCS is looking forward to offering more social psychological support, within its strategy to work together with fellow National Societies to serve the Palestinian people.
He valued QRCS’s contributions to help the vulnerable and the distressed around the world, particularly in Palestine, calling for further help to ensure a better and safer environment for all Palestinians.
The new centre comprises a garden and several rooms to receive seekers of psychological support services.
During the ceremony, PRCS volunteers conducted a demonstration of quality practice of the response mechanisms, including first aid, psychological services, and advising for the victims and the missing.
QRCS is sponsoring the psychological support programme for victims of the 2014 war on Gaza, at a total cost of $135,000. The programme seeks to enhance adjustment and social psychological rehabilitation for the victims, psychologically rehabilitate PRCS health and relief providers, and renew the seaside social centre premises in Khan Yunis.