© UNHCR
The State of Qatar announced its commitment to support global efforts in assisting millions of refugees and internally displaced people in various situations around the world, through pledges made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and several Qatari humanitarian organisations and foundations. These pledges were announced at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) held in Geneva, and co-hosted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Government of Switzerland.
Among UNHCR’s partners attending the GRF are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Qatar Charity (QC), Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRSC), Education Above All Foundation (EAA) and Generation Amazing Foundation (GA).
Her Excellency Lolwah Rashid Al Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar at the GRF High-Level Plenary session. © UNHCR
The State of Qatar, through its MoFA, has reiterated its commitment to supporting forcibly displaced people globally by collaborating with UNHCR. Earlier in December, Qatar had announced its contribution of US$ 8 million in flexible funding to UNHCR’s programmes in 2023-2024. This funding will enable UNHCR to allocate as needed, to respond to the most urgent needs of forcibly displaced people, especially those caught up in emergencies or in forgotten and neglected crises. Additionally, an allocation of US$ 2 million is dedicated to contributing to the broader emergency response for Sudan.
QC has pledged US$ 100 million to address the humanitarian needs of one million refugees for three years in various situations. The support will reach South Asia, MENA and East Africa including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Out of this pledge, QC will allocate an initial US$ 3.8 million in 2024 to support UNHCR’s provision of health, WASH, and cash-based assistance to 150,000 refugees and host communities in Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, and Libya.
Ahmed Al Runaihi, Director of External Affairs, Qatar Charity, speaks at the High-Level Event ‘Burden and Responsibility Sharing in the Middle East and North Africa’, one of a series of discussions at the Global Refugee Forum 2023. © UNHCR
Furthermore, Qatari partners announced additional commitments in support of forcibly displaced persons and their host communities around the world as part of multi-stakeholder and individual pledges. UNHCR encourages the multi-stakeholder approach, which ensures a more comprehensive support system for refugees, extending beyond UNHCR’s own programmes and advancing the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) to achieve tangible benefits for refugees and host communities.
Commenting on these announcements, Ahmed Mohsen, UNHCR’s Representative to the State of Qatar, stated: “To address the challenges refugees are facing nowadays, we need to work together, and therefore, we are immensely grateful for the series of generous pledges announced by Qatar, whether through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or our partner Qatari humanitarian organizations. These pledges not only reflect our collective commitment to assist those affected by forced displacement crises, but also fortify our partnership. We look forward to strengthening our collaboration and working closely to materialize sustainable change for displaced people and communities hosting them worldwide.”
On her part, Her Excellency Lolwah Rashid Al Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar reiterated Qatar’s commitment to collaborating with UNHCR to protect and support displaced persons. In her speech, during the High-Level Plenary session, she said: “The State of Qatar reaffirms its commitment to continue enhancing its relationship and strategic partnerships with UNHCR, and to provide the necessary support to its efforts aimed at protecting and assisting refugees.”
The GRF is the world’s largest international gathering on refugee issues, bringing together UN Member States with relevant stakeholders, international and local organizations, civil society, financial institutions, academia, and the private sector. The second GRF convenes in Geneva from 13 to 15 December 2023, providing an opportunity to build on and highlight the progress made by Governments and other stakeholders towards the implementation of pledges and initiatives announced at the first GRF in 2019. It also offers a platform for participants to announce new pledges and share learning to inform and inspire further responsibility-sharing and facilitate comprehensive responses.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Khaled Kabbara
Communications Officer- GCC Countries
+971 50 641 0868
[email protected]
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