It is almost more than two decades since the State of Qatar emerged as one of the world’s major donor of aid, devoting most of its foreign development assistance to countries stricken by poverty or dealing with refugees and internally displaced peoples, in particular in this region. Qatar’s aid mostly takes in the form of funding for infrastructure projects, health and education programmes.
Nevertheless, Qatar is providing high share of its aid as humanitarian support, but it has also stepped up its aid to engage in rehabilitation plans of governments in countries suffered for years under civil wars such as the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Since the establishment of the Federal government of Somalia, Qatar is a key supporter of the country and spares no effort to provide it with all necessary assistance for development and implementation of sustainable plans of the government in partnership with the United Nations and the World Bank.
Confirming its commitment to support Somalia, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) signed yesterday an MoU with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education of Somalia to provide quality education to 57,600 Somali children. This step is expected to expand access to education promoting the enrolment of children deprived of formal primary education in different parts of Somalia.
This agreement will support a project for Somalia by Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, whose projects assist marginalised and impoverished children with hope of creating opportunities for a better future by increasing access to education for children affected by poverty, conflict and disaster.
According to the General Director of QFFD the “pledge comes as part of the State of Qatar’s commitment towards the government and people of Somalia, building on a number of current projects between the two countries, and covering several developmental areas in all states, including rehabilitating and developing infrastructure, stimulating the economy, creating jobs for youth and empowering women”.
A similar memorandum of understanding signed last week by Qatar Fund for Development with Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in Cambodia to support the implementation of the EAA's project aimed at improving access to equitable quality education in Cambodia. This programme, in Cambodia, seeks to develop schools for children deprived of education in Southeast Asia. It further targets more than 100,000 Cambodian children out of school. By supporting such programmes of education, Qatar no doubt is spreading the light in marginalised or less privileged communities across the globe.
