Qatar champions child protection as a red line: minister

Qatar has declared that the well-being of children is non-negotiable in its humanitarian efforts, regardless of political circumstances. At the commencement of a workshop in Doha, Dr Maryam bint Ali al-Misnad, the Minister of State for International Co-operation of Qatar, emphasized that the nation's foreign policy is grounded in dialogue, mediation, and humanitarian diplomacy.

The gathering convened a diverse group of stakeholders to explore strategies for enhancing child-sensitive humanitarian access in conflict zones. Dr al-Misnad highlighted Qatar's extensive mediation experience, which has consistently demonstrated that maintaining open lines of communication, even in dire situations, can unlock critical opportunities to safeguard civilians and enhance humanitarian operations.

She underscored that protecting children's access to food, healthcare, and education can serve as a unifying factor, even amidst entrenched political differences. Dr al-Misnad cautioned that impediments to humanitarian operations, the hindrance of aid, and attacks on humanitarian workers are increasingly entwined with the broader political and security conflicts in many ongoing crises.

She stressed that children are particularly susceptible to any disruption in vital services, warning that even temporary delays can result in significant physical and psychological harm. Dr al-Misnad stressed that addressing children's needs should be an integral part of humanitarian access negotiations right from the beginning, rather than being relegated to a secondary consideration after agreements have been formalized.