A delegation from the Netherlands has visited Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), as part of a diplomatic tour to the Middle East. It comprised Eline Kasanwidjojo from Security Policy Department, Paul Sassen, Regional Security Coordinator, and Amin Zaghdoud, Political Affairs Officer at the Dutch embassy in Qatar. They were received by Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Maliki, Chief Executive Director, Dr. Mohamed Salah Ibrahim, Executive Director of Relief and International Development, and Mona Fadhel Al-Sulaiti, Head of Social Development. The visitors communicated greetings from the Dutch Ambassador to Doha, who commended QRCS’s humanitarian operations and achievements. During the meeting, Mr. Al-Maliki stated that QRCS worked in accordance with a set of rules and laws regulating charity and humanitarian action, under the supervision of Qatar's Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities (RACA). “Being a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is another strength and legal capacity that gets us well in place to reach out to disaster zones,” said Mr. Al-Maliki. He highlighted some challenges to humanitarian action, particularly the bureaucratic procedures that delay humanitarian response. To overcome these challenges, Mr. Al-Maliki explained, QRCS adopted modern technology and techniques, to ensure a smooth and balanced workflow. “Other ways to facilitate the work include operating under the umbrella of the Movement and the United Nations, associating with fellow National Societies and local partners, and establishing foreign representation offices,” Mr. Al-Maliki added. The meeting also reviewed the latest humanitarian developments in Qatar and regionally. They focused on the countries where QRCS works, mainly Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Palestine. As a key player on the international humanitarian arena, Ms. Kasanwidjojo remarked, the Netherlands was interested to have stronger relations with QRCS, in order to ensure timely delivery of aid, while complying with the global banking and regulatory requirements. QRCS pays great attention to humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy, by working towards 'humanitarianized' legislation; issuing emergency appeals and launching fundraising campaigns to mobilize support for the vulnerable; raising awareness about disasters and crises to urge the international community to intervene and help the nations hit by natural disasters or wars and armed conflicts; and promoting the international humanitarian law, the four Geneva Conventions, the seven fundamental humanitarian principles, and human rights to further establish international peace and security. Other undertakings in this field include building the capacity of fellow National Societies and charitable organizations and upgrading their human, technical, and administrative resources; strengthening professional, institutional, and personal relations with all components and officials of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; and representing the State of Qatar in regional and international social and humanitarian events.