Written by/ Khaled Khalifa, Senior Adviser to the High Commissioner on Islamic Philanthropy, UNHCR Representative to Gulf Cooperation Council Countries
On 20 June of every year, we mark World Refugee Day, a day to honour people who have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. And as we celebrate their strength, courage, and resilience in the face of conflict or persecution, we are also reminded of our collective responsibility to support them and to renew our commitment to finding sustainable solutions for their plight.
Global displacement has reached staggering proportions, with conflicts around the world forcing an increasing number of people to leave everything behind and embark on dangerous journeys looking for refuge. According to the latest Global Trends report from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the number of forcibly displaced people has exceeded 110 million, an unprecedented figure in history.
The ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan, Sudan and other countries, coupled with protracted crises like the Rohingya and Syria refugee situations and many more, as well as the effects of climate change in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and other regions, all continue to exacerbate the displacement crisis. This alarming reality demands urgent attention and concerted efforts to address the root causes of forced displacement and to provide comprehensive support to those affected.
In response to the pressing and ever-growing need for humanitarian assistance, UNHCR took a significant step forward in 2017 by launching a Zakat pilot programme, recognizing the global growth of Islamic finance and philanthropy. This initiative paved the way for the establishment of the Refugee Zakat Fund in 2019, a trusted and Sharia-compliant distribution platform that maximises the impact of Zakat and Sadaqah contributions by ensuring that every donation reaches in full eligible families and individuals affected by forced displacement. The UNHCR Refugee Zakat Fund has already assisted over 6 million individuals in 26 countries since its inception.
By addressing critical needs such as shelter, food, healthcare, education, livelihoods, and debt repayments, the Fund has empowered refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) to overcome the economic hardships that were further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Qatar, organisations and philanthropists have shown remarkable generosity towards refugees and the forcibly displaced by channelling their Zakat and Sadaqah contributions through UNHCR. A leading figure among them is H.E. Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani, UNHCR’s Eminent Advocate. Since 2019, H.E Sheikh Thani’s contributions have provided vital assistance to some three million displaced and vulnerable individuals in Bangladesh, Chad, Lebanon, Pakistan and Yemen. As UNHCR’s most prominent individual donor, his support has been a beacon of hope for millions of people who rely on his generosity for their survival. We express our deepest gratitude for H.E. Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani’s unwavering trust in UNHCR and his commitment to making a lasting impact on the lives of forcibly displaced individuals.
Another important contributor to the Refugee Zakat Fund is Qatar Charity, which has been a steadfast partner of UNHCR since 2012. Through their ongoing support and Zakat contributions since 2018, Qatar Charity has assisted more than 400,000 forcibly displaced individuals in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Yemen. Earlier this year, UNHCR and Qatar Charity signed an agreement for an Islamic Philanthropy collaboration, solidifying their commitment to jointly address the urgent needs of more than 300,000 displaced individuals in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Yemen. This collaboration will have a significant impact on the lives of the most vulnerable individuals.
Other Qatari organisations have also stepped up to support refugees through the Zakat Fund, including Eid Charity who has assisted over two million refugees in Bangladesh, Jordan, Lebanon and Somalia, as well as IDPs in Iraq and Yemen. The Qatar Red Crescent Society has also made a significant Zakat contribution earlier in 2023, helping UNHCR to support more than 82,000 internally displaced Yemenis meet their immediate food and other essential needs. For this and the strong partnership, we are sincerely grateful.
By providing a safe environment and ensuring access to cash assistance, core relief items, education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities for those uprooted by conflict, we can contribute to a dignified life in exile and a better future for all. To achieve this goal, we must increase strategic partnerships, like the ones we have forged with the State of Qatar and the different Qatari entities, and foster innovation to maximize the impact of Islamic Philanthropy, encourage sustainable funding, and promote policies that take into account the inclusion and empowerment of the forcibly displaced.
On World Refugee Day, and every other day of the year, let us come together in solidarity to build a global community that provides hope and opportunities for those forced to flee their homes.
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