Khaled Khalifa, UNHCR Regional Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC) and Mohammed Ali Al Ghamdi, Chief Governance Officer of Qatar Charity during the signing ceremony in New York. ©Qatar Charity
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and Qatar Charity signed three agreements today worth US$5 million in support of thousands of displaced women, men and children in Yemen, Iraq and Bangladesh.
The agreements were signed by Khaled Khalifa, UNHCR Regional Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC) and Mr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, CEO of Qatar Charity (QC), at a side event on the Role of Sport in Safeguarding and Empowering Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) organized by Qatar Charity at the UN General Assembly. The generous contribution will provide much needed cash-assistance for internally displaced families in Yemen and Iraq, as well as, enhance water, health and sanitation facilities for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.
Commenting on the partnership with Qatar Charity, Khaled Khalifa, UNHCR Regional Representative to the GCC countries said “Qatar Charity has been a key partner of UNHCR for many years. Their support has directly contributed to elevating the suffering of thousands of vulnerable refugees and IDPs around the world. Such partnerships are critical as they allow UNHCR to deliver urgent and lifesaving aid to address most pressing humanitarian needs in our region and beyond’.
In Bangladesh, the contribution will be used to support UNHCR’s ongoing efforts to enhance and develop water, health and sanitation facilities in the settlements hosting Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar. This includes increasing supply of potable water, the construction of new bathing facilities, and the construction and maintenance of latrines with septic tank de-sludging services that are better suited to the terrain. These efforts will drastically improve the living conditions of approximately 12,600 Rohingya refugees and members of the host community.
For Iraq and Yemen, the donation was made through UNHCR’s Sharia Compliant Refugee Zakat Fund. UNHCR’s Zakat Fund helps the most vulnerable refugee and internally displaced families with cash assistance to cover basic expenses such as rent, food, healthcare and debt repayment. Over 71,000 vulnerable IDPs, including female-headed households, will receive cash assistance allowing them to cover their most pressing needs.
“Qatar Charity is committed to making a difference in the lives of people in need. Our partnership with UNHCR ensures that we support life-saving initiatives which address the critical humanitarian needs of displaced people around the world’ said Mr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, CEO of Qatar Charity.
Since 2012, UNHCR’s partnership with Qatar Charity has helped over 1 million refugees and displaced persons around the world through the provision of education, healthcare, shelter, cash assistance and emergency relief.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
