UNHCR and Al Asmakh charity sign cooperation agreement

عربي

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, through its regional office in Riyadh, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Qatari-based, Asmakh Charity Foundation -Afif, aimed at building a strategic partnership and enhancing cooperation.

The Acting Regional Representative to the GCC Countries, Dr. Nabil Othman signed the cooperation agreement with the CEO of Al Asmakh Charity Foundation, H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Ali Abdulla.

Dr. Nabil Othman, commenting on the importance of the agreement, said: “the number of refugees and displaced people around the world has reached unprecedented figures, and it continues to grow. We cannot respond to the needs of people of concern without a close partnership with all parties, including humanitarian charities. Such coordination will help us serve vulnerable groups more effectively, especially the victims of protracted situations.” Dr. Othman added: “UNHCR’s relationship with Al-Asmakh Charity Foundation-Afif reflects our joint dedication and passion towards having a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable populations, especially women and children who face heightened difficulties.”

The cooperation agreement highlights the strategic partnership between Al Asmakh Charity Foundation-Afif and UNHCR. The agreement stipulates the organization of regular meetings so as to develop an operational action plan, as well as potential areas of partnership between UNHCR and Al Asmakh Chairty Foundation-Afif. Furthermore, UNHCR will coordinate with the Foundation at the onset of emergency situations to mobilize support as needed. Al Asmakh Charity Foundation -Afif was founded in 2012 and it is a registered charity by Ministry of labour and Social Affairs in Qatar. The Foundation focuses on sustainable development programmes that have positive and effective impact. Its programmes concentrate mainly in education, health, economic empowerment of poor households in addition to the relief work. Women and children are the focus of the Foundation’s programmes being developmental or relief. The foundation implements its projects and programmes in partnership with charitable associations and institutions within and outside of Qatar.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, established in December 1950, is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or resettle in a third country. It also has a mandate to help stateless people and is often called on to help people displaced within their own countries. The agency, which has a staff of some 9,300 people in more than 120 countries, has helped tens of millions of people.