PRCS staff working for the sake of humanity on the Libyan borders

(Tunsia, 15.03.2011): Jawdat Al Muhtasib from Hebron (Southern West Bank) and Walid Abou el Hayja from Jenin (Northern West Bank) crossed hundreds of kilometers from Palestine to the Tunisian-Libyan borders to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons in that area. Both men, who come from a still-bleeding country, answered the call of duty issued by International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and joined the Water and Sanitation Team established by Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) where they both work.

Since the 12th of March 2011, they have been working side by side with volunteers from various nationalities united by their humanitarian duty, erecting tents to host refugees arriving from Libya near the already existing Al Shashi camp close to Ras Jadeer border town.

Palestinians, Syrians and Moroccans meet daily with their European colleagues in the Transit Camp refugee camp, where they plan, organize and prepare for what might happen inside Libya. Walid and Jawdat’s mission consists of handling water pipes and tanks as well as sanitation networks in line with the Sphere standards, ensuring the safety of the camp’s residents.

Speaking about the nature of their work, Walid said: “We are part of IFRC’s water and Sanitation group. We supervise water pipes, equip tanks and follow-up on every little detail in this field. Our international team comprises 50 volunteers from various national Red Cross/Crescent Societies who have all come here to provide assistance to those in need on the Libyan-Tunisian borders. Our mission ends on the 4th of April. However, once we finish our current assignment, we shall join the health education team which focuses on hygiene and the prevention of water borne diseases”.

As for his colleague Jawdat, he added: “Our assignment is an exceptional one. The fact that we have been chosen to take part in this mission proves that PRCS enjoys a great reputation in the field of disaster and crisis response. We could feel that our colleagues from other countries were happy and satisfied with our work. I personally am happy to be helping draw a smile on the face of these people who need our help, especially given the fact that we have come all the way from Palestine to assist them”.

Dr Younis Al Khatib, PRCS President, commented on Walid and Jawdat’s participation in this mission by saying: “This participation stems from our Society’s humanitarian role. PRCS has taken part in disaster and crisis response missions throughout the world, including in Algeria, Kosovo and Indonesia. It shall soon be dispatching a team of its specialized psychosocial workers to help lessen the psychosocial burdens carried by displaced populations fleeing Libya.”

On the 7th of March, PRCS launched a relief campaign aimed at providing help and assistance to Arab and foreign victims of events in Libya, with a view to mitigating the humanitarian consequences caused by these events. PRCS has, through the Tunisian Red Crescent Society, sent a humanitarian and relief convoy which started its journey towards the Libyan borders from in front of the Palestinian Embassy in Tunis. The convoy carried food, water, personal hygiene items, covers and mattresses, to help solve the humanitarian crisis caused by events in Libya.