On December 1, 2024, the 20th anniversary of the death of Dr. Fathi Arafat, the founder of the Palestinian Red Crescent, is commemorated. Fathi was born in Jerusalem on January 1, 1933, and was the younger brother of President Yasser Arafat. After their mother died in his childhood, he and his brother Yasser moved to live with their uncle in Cairo. He studied medicine in Egypt in 1962, then moved to Kuwait to work.

His humanitarian struggle began by establishing medical services for the Fatah Movement, and he played a key role in founding the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in 1968. It started in the Marka refugee camp in Jordan before expanding its services to various Palestinian refugee camps. Under his leadership, the organization developed into a comprehensive health and social institution serving Palestinians in many areas.

Fathi Arafat held several positions, including honorary secretary of the Arab Health Ministers Council in 1972 and vice president of the Non-Aligned Movement's Health Ministers Council in 1982. The society was officially recognized by the Red Cross in 2006.

Dr. Fathi Arafat passed away on December 1, 2004, after a long battle with illness. He had many inspiring quotes, including: "We build our state on civilized foundations so that our people and children may enjoy what peoples around the world enjoy."