The State of Qatar has been at the forefront of global humanitarian efforts in partnership with various agencies of the United Nations. Qatar has been generously contributing to the UN organisations to help those in need around the world. In a new such partnership, the Qatar Fund for Development has signed an agreement with the World Food Program to provide a flexible contribution of $10m to the UN food agency. The contribution will aid WFP’s humanitarian operations and address critical food security needs around the world.
Qatar has partnered with WFP over the years to address humanitarian crises, particularly addressing food insecurities in areas affected by conflicts, economic decline, famine or disease.
QFFD has also signed an agreement with the International Organization for Migration to provide an unearmarked core contribution of $0.4m to the UN agency. Qatar’s contribution will help ensure human rights and a decent life for migrants, including internally-displaced persons, refugees, and migrant workers around the world.
These contributions are part of the $500m Qatar had announced to contribute to the UN bodies at the 2018 Doha Forum. Qatar has also signed agreements with the UN to provide annual support to the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Last year, QFFD inked two agreements to provide financial support of $25m to UNRWA. This included a contribution of $18m to strengthen the agency’s role in improving the conditions of the Palestinian people in Palestine and in the host countries, as well as providing comprehensive support to Palestinian refugees in Syria in the sectors of health, education and economic development, with an amount of $7m, serving 355,980 beneficiaries from Palestinian refugees.
Qatar has been a UN member since 1971 and has always worked towards achieving UN’s goals, including maintaining international peace and security, supporting international development, promoting human rights, providing humanitarian assistance, and participating in collective action to address challenges facing the world.
Qatar’s latest contribution to WFP will go a long way in addressing food security challenges in many parts of the world facing the threat of famine, and will alleviate the difficulties of millions of people suffering from chronic hunger. It will also contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 — zero hunger.
