Red Crescent, Cross chiefs discuss effort coordination

BEIRUT, Jan 24 (KUNA) -- Leaders of Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies in the Middle East and North Africa discussed Tuesday coordinating efforts to face humanitarian challenges weighing down on the region.
Deputy Chief of The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Asia and the pacific and General Secretary of Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society Maha Al-Barjes spoke to KUNA on sideline of society leaders meeting discussing the rapidly changing humanitarian situation, mounting crises, and increase of humanitarian needs.
She indicated that this multiplication of crises in the region underscores necessity of uniting efforts to ratify preventative plans, approve strategies guaranteeing quick response to emergent cases and building international partnerships.
Al-Barjes highlighted some of the challenges facing the region including ramifications of covid-19 pandemic, cholera, dengue fever, climate change, ongoing conflicts, refugees and displaced people, absence of food security and an economic crisis.
Regional chief of society union in Middle East and North Africa, Husam Al-Sharqawi, told KUNA that the meeting, continuing to tomorrow, will handle latest developments in humanitarian situations and the readiness to cope with these catastrophes.
He illustrated that society leaderships are to exchange ideas the meeting aims to review societies' national plans and focus on coordination. (end) ayb.aai