QFFD and Unicef officials exchanging documents after the signing ceremony.
Doha: Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) signed a $5m Cooperation Agreement with Unicef in response to Unicef’s call for the prevention and treatment of acute watery diarrhoea and cholera in Yemen.
Unicef reported that the social service systems in Yemen, including health, water, and sanitation are close to collapsing. In 2017 only 54 percent of humanitarian funding was received against an appeal of $339m. In 2018, Unicef is appealing for $312m to continue its humanitarian response. There are nearly 16 million people lacking access to clean water and sanitation, while over 11 million children need humanitarian assistance.
The QFFD stressed that this agreement comes in response to an urgent appeal launched by Unicef to donor countries in order to combat the spread of the disease. The seriousness of the health situation in Yemen necessitates the response of all countries to this urgent humanitarian appeal, where the State of Qatar has donated $5m to support Unicef’s efforts to eradicate the Cholera disease in Yemen, to reach half a million beneficiaries.
“The contribution from the Qatar Development Fund is critical for UnicefF’s response to the acute watery diarrhoea and cholera outbreak in Yemen, allowing us to continue prevention efforts and the delivery of life-saving assistance in water, sanitation, hygiene, health and nutrition for children across the country,” said Geert Cappelaere, Unicef Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
This support is aimed at building National capacity in the health sector and its staff in order to prevent the spread of the disease and respond to new cases of illness. It provides immediate assistance through rapid response mechanisms and encouraging the Yemeni society to change human behaviour to prevent and treat cholera.
