PRCS and Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) sign partnership agreements with local institutions

(Gaza,9/10/2011):PRCS and the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) signed with local institutions working to help disabled persons a number of partnership agreements in support of psycho social support and other services. The agreements were signed on behalf of PRCS by Dr. Khaled Joudeh, PRCS Director General, and on behalf of QRCS by its Head of Office in the Gaza Strip Eng. Mohamad Abou Haloob.

“These partnerships aim at developing physiotherapy services and enhancing the capacity of physiotherapists in cooperation with Al Ahli Al Arabi hospital, the Physiotherapy Union and the University Applied Sciences College in the Gaza Strip. They include the creation of a clinical rehabilitation section at Al Amal hospital in Khan Younes, a therapy and clinical rehabilitation section for Diabetic Foot patients at Al Wafa’ hospital in Gaza, programs for early intervention and detection of hearing disabilities among pre-school children in all Gaza Strip governorates in partnership with “Our Children” association for the hearing impaired.
As for Mr. Abou Haloob, he said: “This agreement is part of a 2-year program implemented by QRCS in the Gaza Strip in cooperation with PRCS and with joint support and funding from the Office of her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser al Masnad and the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah, for a total of 5 million USD. It includes a comprehensive survey and the creation of an integrated database on disabilities in the Gaza Strip with a view to enhancing coordination between organizations working in this field. It shall also provide the basis for future planning to promote this marginalized category of the Palestinian society.
The agreement also features vocational training and job creation for the disabled as well as ensuring a disabled friendly environment in homes, schools and universities based on survey results. These partnerships are expected to enhance services provided to the disabled, ensure their integration and improve their education and work opportunities”.
On a different vein, PRCS and QRCS signed agreements for the Rehabilitation and Development of Higher Education Institutions in the Gaza Strip with several local higher education universities and colleges. These agreements include the building of new premises for Al Quds Open University in Khan Younis, the creation of an electronic lab for its branches in the Gaza Strip, building engineering and IT labs and rebuilding and maintaining the Agriculture Faculty at Al Azhar University, equipping and furnishing the conference Hall at the Science and Technology Faculty/Khan Younes, building and furnishing the Technical Workshop Building at the University Applied Sciences Faculty in Gaza, building four science labs at the Islamic University and developing and maintaining the PRCS Ability College in Khan Younis. These comprehensive agreements aim at rehabilitating Higher Education institutions in the Gaza Strip affected by the blockade and the recent war, as well as developing their infrastructure to help enhance the academic level of Palestinians and nurture their creativity.