Over the years, Qatar’s global humanitarian efforts have been well documented and have won accolades from individuals, organisations and governments.
In Qatar, government entities, private organisations, and individuals engage in charity and humanitarian aid. From aid and support to struggling families in Gaza, assistance to Afghanistan, Somalia, typhoon victims in the Philippines and most notably, aid to countries in need during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Besides sending aid of its own accord, Qatar also partners with relevant United Nations agencies to ensure all regions, especially developing countries facing crises and natural disasters, have access to this aid. Qatar is also a member of the Board of Directors of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and is the world’s top Arab and sixth largest contributor to multi-partner UN funds and programmes. Consequently, Qatar yesterday, through Qatar Fund For Development and partners, implemented a series of relief convoys for those affected by the floods and rains in Sudan’s Al Jazirah, River Nile, and Kassala states. Food and shelter have been distributed to affected families in these areas.
Director-General of QFFD Khalifa bin Jassem Al Kuwari said that QFFD always seeks to provide the necessary relief aid in many crisis-hit areas worldwide and will be ready to provide urgent humanitarian aid to the affected communities. He indicated that QFFD’s relief and developmental efforts will continue to help those most in need to reduce the damage and supply humanitarian aid, which will be expanded to include housing, food, and health aid. On the other hand, Ambassador of Qatar to Sudan H E Abdul Rahman bin Ali Al Kubaisi also affirmed Qatar’s support to the families affected by the floods to help them overcome this plight.
Also, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif recently thanked Amir H H Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani for the country’s contribution and aid to flood victims in Pakistan. The Amiri Air Force flew in a 23-tonne urgent aid plane in partnership with the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and Qatar Charity to continue the urgent relief assistance provided by Qatar to the flood-affected people.
Besides, QRCS allocated $100,000 from its Disaster Response Fund to offer support to Pakistan’s flood victims, where more than 30 million have been affected.
Last year, the UNHCR, (UN Refugee Agency) signed an agreement with QFFD to provide $8m in flexible funding to UNHCR in 2021 and 2022, in support of its humanitarian efforts around the world. It is worth mentioning that Qatar’s cumulative contributions from government and Qatari entities to support refugees have exceeded $354m.
