About us:
The Humanitarian Aid Section is part of the Health and Humanitarian Aid Department within the Social Affairs Sector.
The Section was founded in 2007 with the aim of consolidating joint social Arab action for the interest of the Member States.
Our message:
Securing the basic humanitarian needs of the member states' populations in times of crisis, disasters or conflicts in accordance with the goals and principles of the League of Arab States (LAS), the Humanitarian International Law and Human Rights.
Our vision:
Our fundamental values:
Working to achieve our goals based on ethical and humanitarian standards and in accordance with the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
Commitment, to the extent possible, to achieving optimal, efficient and effective responses to crises, disasters and conflicts.
- Dealing with crises in a sense of responsibility and transparency and providing humanitarian aid to the people of our Arab region in absolute neutrality and without discrimination based on race, religion, nationality or political affiliation.
Believing that every human being has the full right to lead a decent and dignified life.
Our goals:
Developing our current capabilities to respond and deal efficiently with crises.
Raising awareness on the importance of volunteer work and reinforcing the resources and capabilities of the civil society.
Building a solid relationships network with regional, international and non-governmental organizations that share the same goals and visions.
Cooperating and coordinating with our partners for exchanging expertise, information and successful experiences.
Securing the humanitarian assistance to Member States and promoting efforts to improve the health sector.
Contributing in the process of rehabilitation and development of the suffering Arab communities during the post crisis phase.
The challenges:
The escalation of crises, disasters and conflicts in our Arab world.
The repercussions of crises and disasters (whether natural or man-made) on the humanitarian conditions and the infrastructure of the Arab societies.
The limitation of resources and means needed for the required response.
The impact of the political and social factors (cultures, traditions and customs) on the timeliness of humanitarian intervention.
The difficulty of access to armed conflict areas.
Recently, the League of Arab States became an active strategic partner on the international level through building special relationships with concerned international organizations. For example, the China-Arab Cooperation Forum was established to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation. In addition, there is a collaboration between the Leagues of Arab States and the government of Peru to develop the health sector.
Our partners:
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
The European Commission for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO)
The World Health Organization (WHO)
The Human Relief Foundation (HRF) - The United Kingdom
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
The Humanitarian Forum (THF) – The United Kingdom
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
OXFAM, United Kingdom
The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
The National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA)
The U.S. Department of State.
Our Previous Accomplishments:
A delegation from the League of Arab States visited the Comoros and supplied the hospitals in the capital Moroni with medical equipment and medication.
Somalia:
In coordination with the Council of Arab Ministers of Health and the Union of Arab Doctors, the League of Arab States facilitated the process of delivering medical supplies to the displaced people of Somalia, especially women and children.
Libya:
- In collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a delegation from the League of the Arab States visited Libya and facilitated the delivery of ambulances, food supplies and medical equipment.
-The League of Arab States also provided medical services and financed surgical operations to Libyan people affected by the armed conflict, who were relocated to the Arab Republic of Egypt, in cooperation with Dar El Orman Foundation.
- The League of Arab States conducted an assessment of the humanitarian and health conditions in Libya over the past five years.
-In collaboration with the Republic of Slovenia, the League of Arab States arranged for the delivery of a shipment of medicines to Libya and for the rehabilitation in Slovenia of a group of 10 Libyan injured children.
-In February 2014, the League of Arab States engaged in raising awareness on the Mauritanian humanitarian conditions, mobilizing the concerned organizations and promoting humanitarian actions.
Sudan:
The League of Arab States, in coordination with the General Department Medical Convoys of the Egyptian Ministry of Health, organized a medical convoy to Eastern Sudan, with the participation of eight doctors. The convoy provided the Port Sudan hospitals with the needed medical supplies and medicines. The doctors examined 4,539 cases and conducted 62 surgical operations and 6 cases of congenital malformation.
Yemen:
-The General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, in coordination with the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, and with the support of the Council of Arab Health Ministers, provided Yemen with medical assistance in the amount of USD 500,000, to meet the essential needs of the Yemen health sector.
-In May 2013, a delegation of the League of Arab States visited Yemen to inspect health conditions. The delegation visited several hospitals in Yemen and offered a donation of USD 180,000 presented by the Council of Arab Health Ministers.
The displaced Syrians in the Zaatari Refugee Camp (Jordan):
-The League of Arab States, in coordination with the Save the Children Foundation, granted an amount of USD 35,000 to equip a child-friendly space in the camp where children can receive education and play. This space shall ensure the provision of shelter, education, social and psychological rehabilitation for the displaced Syrian children, as well providing the minors and those without parents with special care, until their stability is secured.
-The League of Arab States also delivered medical supplies and equipment to the value of USD 10,000 to improve the operation of the field hospitals in the camp.
The Gaza Strip:
- In 2010, a medical convoy headed to the Gaza Strip containing 15 kidney dialysis machines that were distributed to 4 hospitals. In addition, the convoy delivered 4 tons of medicines.
- In 2012, during the last aggression on Gaza, Dr. Nabil El Arabi, Secretary- General, headed a delegation of Arab Foreign Ministers to support the Palestinian people, and identify their needs. They provided them with food and medical supplies.
-During the period 9 – 10 January 2013, "The Third Civil Society Forum" was organized, under the title of "Civil Society Organizations concerned with Social Development, Rescue Missions and Humanitarian Aids". The Forum revolved around achieving an effective partnership between governments and civil society and formulating crisis management strategies; in addition to activating the role of humanitarian media and mobilizing governmental and non-governmental organizations to contribute in providing humanitarian support.
In January 2013, a delegation from the League of Arab States undertook a field visit to the neighboring countries of Syria (Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq) with the purpose of examining the conditions of the Syrian Refugees, to assess their needs with the aim of studying ways for providing essential humanitarian assistance.
Sheikha Hessa Al-Thani is appointed as the Secretary General's Envoy on Humanitarian Relief.
In May 2013, a Delegation of the League of Arab States conducted a field visit to the Syrian Refugee camps in Turkey. The delegation offered a donation of 180,000 USD presented by the Council of Arab Health Ministers in order to finance equipping the refugee camps field hospitals.
In January 2014, a high-level delegation of the League of Arab State General Secretariat, headed by the Secretary General's Envoy on Humanitarian Relief, Sheikha Hessa Al-Thani, conducted field visits to the Syrian Refugees Camps in the neighboring countries (Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq) to inspect the conditions of the refugees inside and outside the shelter camps, to identify their emerging and essential needs and to cooperate with hosting countries and associated international organizations working in the field.
In January 2014, in collaboration with OCHA, European Union, UNDP and Crisis Management Department, the League of Arab States organized a workshop under the title "Humanitarian Effectiveness in the Arab Region"
Our future projects:
The League of Arab States General Secretariat (Department of Health and Humanitarian Aid) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) signed a joint Plan of Action that builds on the previously signed Memorandum of Understanding. The Plan of Action sets out a framework for mutual cooperation. The Plan of Action will be fully implemented, according to a scheduled plan, by 2015.
Conducting training programs that cater to the needs of our team members in order to build their skills and abilities.
Giving priority to providing the recent post-crisis countries with essential assistance to accelerate their recovery process.
Preparing for an active participation in the World Humanitarian Summit to be held in 2016.
Coordinating and cooperating with the Arab Federation for Voluntary Activities to address the humanitarian needs of Syrian Refugees.
Promoting the culture of volunteer work among the youths in member states.
Activating the memoranda of understanding signed with our partners.
Conducting projects concerned with developing countries in need.
إدارة المساعدات الإنسانية