IFRC-MENA confers medal on Kuwait red crescent society chairman

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region honored Tuesday Chairman of Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Barjas Humoud Al-Barjas. The IFRC-MENA conferred its highest medal on Al-Barjas in recognition of his pioneering humanitarian role at the international and regional levels. KRCS Director General Abdulrahman Al-Awan received the medal on behalf of Al-Barjas in a ceremony held at the second and final day of the IFRC-MENA consultative meeting held in Tunis. "Al-Barjas is dean of the humanitarian movement in MENA region," Secretary General of Tunisia Red Crescent Society Al-Taher Al-Sheneti told KUNA commenting on IFRC-MENA's decision to honor Al-Barjas. Al-Sheneti added that Al-Barjas honoring is long overdue as the IFRC has honored him before the regional affiliate. Last November, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) conferred its prestigious Henry Dunant medal for outstanding humanitarian service, the Movement's highest award, on Al-Barjas. Al-Barjas is a founding member of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, has served as the Society's chairman since 1994. He served as its secretary-general between 1975 and 1994. He has developed the Kuwait Red Crescent Society's volunteer programs and promoted them among the public to raise awareness of and rally support for humanitarian endeavor. The Kuwait Red Crescent has been active in international relief work both in the region and across the world, aiding countries suffering the effects of natural disaster or conflict. Al-Barjas is highly esteemed within the international humanitarian movement for his tireless efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable people and his ability to effectively translate ideas into humanitarian action. The IFRC-MENA has also voted unanimously on assigning Kuwait Red Crescent Society to head its Disasters Management Committee due to its long experience in this domain. Concluding their meeting, the conferees agreed to create three commissions to promote partnership, mobilize resources and guarantee dispatching of assistance towards the most vulnerable categories in the region. They have also discussed the organization's 2020 strategy. Humanitarian organizations from 17 Middle Eastern and North African Nations have participated in the IFRC-MENA consultative meeting in Tunis.