UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, during his meeting with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, HE Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, at the headquarters of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs. © UNHCR
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, concluded a two-day visit to the State of Qatar where he attended the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) Annual Board Meeting and spoke about the increasing needs of millions of forcibly displaced people.
The High Commissioner expressed his appreciation to Qatar’s humanitarian role in supporting UNHCR’s humanitarian response in several situations worldwide, and said: “Qatar has a remarkable history of giving, and we are grateful for their strong commitment towards helping the forcibly displaced people and the most vulnerable impacted by wars and conflict.”
He added: “As we are witnessing record levels of forced displacement exceeding 114 million people and the increasing humanitarian challenges, our partnerships with the State of Qatar, its development and humanitarian entities and philanthropists are vital to strengthen our efforts and reinforce our ability to provide a lifeline to refugees and internally displaced people struggling to meet their basic needs.”
The visit included several high-level meetings with senior Qatari officials including Chairperson of Qatar Foundation and Education Above All (EAA), Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, HE Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi. He also met with the leadership of several humanitarian organizations and Qatari entities, such as Qatar Airways (QA), Qatar Charity (QC), and Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC).
During the visit, Grandi signed a five-year partnership agreement with the EAA’s CEO, Fahad Al-Sulaiti, focusing on supporting, promoting, and protecting the right of quality education for forcibly displaced children and youth, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal 4. The new agreement builds on the success of enrolling more than 1.6 million out-of-school refugee children and youth in 14 countries since 2012.
Grandi also held a meeting with QA’s GCEO, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, and signed an agreement to renew UNHCR’s partnership with the airline to provide prompt and urgent cargo services and support to deliver emergency relief assistance through its fleet of over 250 aircrafts which will enhance UNHCR ability to reach the most vulnerable forcibly displaced people swiftly and efficiently.
Additionally, the High Commissioner and QC’s CEO, Yousuf bin Ahmad Al-Kuwari, signed a renewed Letter of Intent on Islamic philanthropy collaboration, committing to contribute US$ 5 million over 2024–2025 to support those forcibly displaced around the world.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Qatar Airways GCEO Engr. Badr Al-Meer at the partnership renewal ceremony in Doha, Qatar. © UNHCR
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and EAA Foundation CEO Fahad Al Sulaiti sign a new partnership agreement on 28 April in Doha, Qatar. © EAA Foundation/ Aisha Al Musallam
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, during his meeting with HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the Chairperson of Qatar Foundation and Education Above All (EAA). © UNHCR
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, and Qatar Charity CEO, Yousuf bin Ahmad Al-Kuwari, at the signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar. © UNHCR
Over the past years, UNHCR has built a long-standing partnership with Qatar and the Qatari entities and philanthropists. With more than US$ 390 million in contributions since 2010, UNHCR’s efforts were bolstered in supporting forcibly displaced people across multiple sectors in various countries.
Khaled Kabbara
Communications Officer- GCC Countries
+971 50 641 0868
[email protected]
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