Qatar’s foreign policy aims at strengthening international peace, solidarity and principles of lending a hand whenever it is needed. The nation is committed to helping people affected by all types of crises – wars, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters – through humanitarian assistance, while abiding by the principles of impartiality and neutrality.
Qatar provided prompt aid for those affected by the tsunami in Indonesia and devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria, Pakistan, China, Haiti and others. From 2012 until June 2019, Qatar had provided aid worth $6.75bn to more than 100 countries around the world. The country supports the pioneering role of UN agencies and international organisations in areas of development and humanitarian aid. The nation is the 6th largest donor to the UN agencies.
Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has directed sending rescue teams and urgent medical assistance to Morocco to help with the relief efforts after the earthquake that struck several Moroccan cities and provinces late on Friday, killing over 2,000 people and injuring many more.
H H the Amir expressed his condolences to H M King Mohammed VI of Morocco. In a post on social media platform X, H H the Amir prayed to the Almighty Allah to bestow mercy on the victims, grant the injured a speedy recovery and protect Morocco and its people from all harms.
Qatar was one of the first countries to respond to the devastating earthquake which struck Turkiye and Syria on February 6, which killed about 50,000 people. The Gulf state was quick in mobilising aid delivery to the affected areas. The Qatari aid benefitted around two million people and surpassed QR247.2m.
In the wake of the disaster, H H the Amir ordered the dispatch of an air bridge to Turkiye, along with a team of the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Forces, Lekhwiya. H H the Amir was also the first leader to visit Turkiye following the calamity.
Qatar has also been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts in Yemen since the start of the conflict in 2014. In 2021, H H the Amir directed allocation of $100m for the World Food Programme to support food security and prevent famine in the country.
Qatari leadership has pledged to support global partnerships for the achievement of foreign countries’ Millennium Development Goals. The state has investments in a wide range of humanitarian and developmental sectors.
