Qatar’s contribution to humanitarian causes around the world has always been generous and a source of honour for the nation and country. Along Qatar government which contributes to global aid and relief efforts through the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and Qatar Charity, various charity organizations operating in Qatar under the supervision of Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities have also played pivotal role in minimizing sufferings of people caught in famines, ward and other natural catastrophes like earthquakes etc.
Now Qatari charity organizations have joined hands to raise over QR60m to support people fighting for survival in Somalia due to humanitarian crises caused by famine which has affected nearly half of the population of the country. A joint campaign to support Somalia will be launched in Qatar on Sunday by four Qatari humanitarian organisations including Qatar Red Crescent Society, Qatar Charity, Silatech and Education Above All Foundation under the supervision of Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities and supported by Qatar Fund for Development.
The campaign aims to raise more than QR60m to meet the humanitarian and development needs of the Somali people and provide water, health, education and economic empowerment services, as well as humanitarian intervention in flood-affected areas to provide shelter, food and medical supplies.
The money will be spent on drilling and rehabilitation of wells and water systems, establishment of income generation projects and social centers, support to the agricultural sector, creating educational opportunities, building and renovation of schools and health centers, treatment of patients, distribution of food baskets, and road development.
Last month, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and Qatar Charity had signed an agreement worth $8.8m with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) to provide Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh with basic services.
The cooperation aims to implement a number of life-saving projects such as disaster risk reduction and response programmes in Kutupalong refugee camp, and provide basic needs and services to refugees in Bangladesh. Separately, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) signed a $12m funding agreement to support the displaced communities in Syria, as well as the Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries, under the umbrella of the UN. Targeting a total of 5.6 million beneficiaries in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, this contribution comes under the Syria Humanitarian Response Plan adopted by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) also signed an agreement in May 2108 to finance the projects worth $8m to address the humanitarian and medical needs of more than 623,000 beneficiaries in Libya. Earlier in April 2108, the Qatar Fund for Development had signed a $3m agreement with the World Food Program (WFP) to help displaced people in Iraq.
QFFD had also signed a $2m agreement with the United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Coordinator to support emergency relief efforts for some of Afghanistan’s most needy communities.
