Doha, June 05 (QNA) - Under the auspices of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the 47th Session of the General Assembly Meeting of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO) - hosted by Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) - started Monday, where winners of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Medal in the humanitarian field in a number of member associations were honored on its sideline.

In his opening speech for the session that was attended by HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, HE President of QRCS Yousef bin Ali Al Khater stressed the keenness to provide the support and all needed requirements to make a success out of this session's work, reaching the ultimate goal to bring about a change in the painful reality suffered by millions of vulnerable people in the hot spots of the Arab world.

He hoped that the coming period would witness a breakthrough in the humanitarian crises surrounding the region through the tireless efforts of all to intensify support for the needy, and cooperation and coordination among them as leaders and humanitarian institutions.

For his part, HE Secretary-General of ARCO Dr. Saleh bin Hamad Al Tuwaijri said that the meeting comes at a time when the Arab region is experiencing various humanitarian and natural crises and disasters when many countries in the region have become centers of export or reception of asylum and fields of displacement in search of a safe life under the weight of armed conflicts and natural disasters.

He indicated that all of this led to displacement and low living standards, which resulted in diseases, the spread of epidemics, poverty, and a decline in opportunities and levels of education for youths and young generations of both sexes.

Development levels have also declined, and many of its programs and projects have been disrupted, in addition to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, which weakened the economies of countries and the incomes of the private sector in its various institutions.

Adding to that the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war, and the shortage it caused in food and energy supplies, the prices of basic supplies rose, with a decline in job opportunities, in addition to climate changes and the resulting disasters that increased in intensity and frequency, which in turn exacerbated the crisis of displacement, asylum, and competition over sources of food, water, and medicine.

In this regard, Al Tuwaijri stated that the conditions in the Arab world had caused the existence of nearly 30 million refugees, whilst there are around 55 million displaced persons in the Arab countries, which causes humanitarian dilemmas that have accumulated over decades, foremost of which was the humanitarian crisis of the Palestinian people, which began in 1948.

He called on everyone to strive to mitigate the impacts on the victims of these humanitarian disasters and to build partnerships with members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and other actors in the field of humanitarian work, including governmental and non-governmental organizations and bodies.

Al Tuwaijri stressed that the General Secretariat of the ARCO hopes for successful partnerships with a tangible impact on the ground to serve the victims of disasters and humanitarian crises, noting that Arab and non-Arab governments and governmental and non-governmental institutions have responded to humanitarian calls. However, he warned that the need outweighs what has been done.

In turn, President of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) and Chairman of the 46th Session Dr. Jalal bin Mohamed Al Owaisi discussed the delicate circumstances and regional and international developments in which this session is held and the size of the challenges and difficulties facing everyone, and their impact on the system of joint Arab action.

He stressed the need to confront and overcome those difficulties and challenges in light of clear Arab orientations and unified stances.

He expressed his confidence that the organization would remain a lofty and solid entity to serve joint Arab humanitarian action, despite the humanitarian challenges in the Arab region and the world as a whole.

After the opening session, HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater opened the "Humanitarian Artists" exhibition in the presence of heads and members of the participating delegations.

HE Secretary-General of ARCO Dr. Saleh bin Hamad Al Tuwaijri presented an honorary shield from ARCO to HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, in appreciation of her participation and support for the 47th Session.

(QNA)