Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has taken the initiative to launch an international campaign to raise $100 million in order to supply COVID-19 vaccines for 3,650,000 refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants from 20 countries.

HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer Al-Thani, President of QRCS, and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation announced this campaign’s launch. The online press conference was attended by various representatives of partners and contributers.

This campaign has been launched during a very crucial humanitarian condition, where the deadly pandemic of COVID-19 still remains an unavoidable threat to the lives of the people. Inspired by its sense of responsibility, QRCS is launching this humanitarian drive in support of the World Health Organization Foundation. The #IAmVaccinatedIDonated initiative will be under a large-scale campaign to mobilize support at the government, institutional, and individual stages. It consists of a public advocacy campaign for COVID-19 vaccine equity and leaves no one behind, with the support of everyone, as no one is safe until everyone is safe.

HE Dr. Ghaith bin Mubarak Al Kuwari, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, said: "And whoever revives it, it is as though he has revived all of Mankind. This Qur'anic logic gives the human soul a sublime position and makes preserving human souls a great purpose of Sharia. The need to save souls' becomes greater at times of calamities and disasters, in order to preserve the human species. Since COVID-19 pandemic is one of the strongest calamities affecting people around the world in our time, we must unite in order to limit its spread and provide vaccines for people without discrimination between the rich and the poor, or north, south, east, and west".

He further added that, "The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Qatar is pleased to be among the contributors to this campaign, to protect human souls from COVID-19, by providing vaccines for refugees and migrants. The ministry will contribute QR 10 million from the Health Care Endowment Fund."

 

HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer Al-Thani also gave a speech on this initiative by saying, "I have the pleasure today to launch, on behalf of all staff and volunteers of QRCS, this humanitarian campaign with the aim to reach those living in humanitarian emergencies or in settings where they are at risk of being left behind and must be part of COVID-19 vaccination efforts. We are honored to announce that the campaign will also provide an unprecedented ability for Muslims around the world to use Zakat money to support COVID-19 vaccination efforts, in compliance with the rules of Islamic Sharia. As Muslims around the world are welcoming the holy month of Ramadan, the time of spirituality, mercy, good deeds, solidarity, and redoubled reward, we hope they will join this unique effort."

Dr. Ghebreyesus said that, "While the pandemic has affected all of us, the poorest and the most marginalized have been hit hardest both in terms of the lives and livelihoods lost. The inequitable distribution of vaccines is not just a moral outrage; it is also economically and epidemiologically self-defeating. The choice of the Qatari people, and other peoples in the region, to direct their Zakat to vaccine equity is an affirmation that we are all in this fight together. We are one global community."

HE Ambassador Ali bin Khalfan Al Mansouri, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations in Geneva, said, "This is an admirably generous humanitarian initiative that seeks to vaccinate the most vulnerable refugees, IDPs, and migrants everywhere. They are desperately in need for vaccination. It is not something new for Qatar, which has always been at the forefront of benevolent work and support for regional and international efforts. Within the parameters of international cooperation, Qatar holds at all times a sense of international collective responsibility for responding to disasters and epidemics like COVID-19."

HE Al Mansouri highlighted on the dedication of the Permanent Mission of Qatar in Geneva to whatever it takes to support the country's international cooperation and reinforce its partnerships with the Geneva-based international organizations, including WHO.