Humanity First USA Honors Ambassador of Qatar for $1.17 Million Gift for Hurricane Katrina Victims

Silver Spring, MD, August 26, 2007 --(PR.com)-- His Excellency, Nasser Bin Hammad Al-Khalifa, Ambassador of Qatar, was honored in January this year in New Orleans by Humanity First USA for his assistance in relief to Hurricane Katrina victims. Using his $1.17 million dollar gift to help disaster struck victims, Humanity First was enabled to embark on seven projects for the reconstruction of devastated areas in the greater New Orleans area.

Munum Naeem, Executive Director Humanity First USA, also recognized the work of all volunteers, including local lawyer, Mr. Ricky Crisler. It was recognized that Humanity First members, attorneys, and architects were all working on a volunteer basis.

Approximately fifty members of various organizations were in attendance to recognize the leading example of one country in providing aid and relief to another country in need. Bashir Shams, Project Manager of the Humanity First Qatar-Katrina Project, commemorated the humanity shown by Qatar in the face of loss, destruction, and pain of another country.

The $1.7 million contribution is just a part of the $100 million Qatar Katrina Fund that was established to provide direct cash assistance to people and institutions in most dire need in the wake of the storm. The Fund’s first phase of donations, committed in May 2006 served the rebuilding of homes, financial assistance to provide medical care, and university scholarships. The second phase of donations targeted the areas most devastated in Mississippi and Louisiana. HF utilized this latest and final donation of Qatar to repair two schools and five mosques serving the community in the area of New Orleans.

Speaking at the honorary ball, Ambassador Al-Khalifa also stressed the need of helping each other at the time of need. Stressing the importance of peace and brotherhood, he recognized the efforts of the local community for the renovation of their properties and complimented Humanity First for their efforts.

Humanity First, USA (http://www.humanityfirst.org), a 501(c) 3- registered charity, is the US chapter of Humanity First International (http://www.humanityfirst.org.uk), which was established in the early 1990's to restore disaster-stricken and under-developed and vulnerable communities around the globe. Humanity First USA is a leading non-profit relief organization whose board of directors, management team, and project staff running the day-to-day operations are all unpaid volunteers with diverse professional backgrounds including business, healthcare, and education sectors. All personal expenses are met by the volunteers to maximize the use of funds raised and donated for those in need. As of today Humanity First USA has expanded to 19 countries worldwide.

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