Partnership with Qatar a key pillar in addressing global humanitarian crises, says UNHCR official

Ahmed Lotfy Mohsen, a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to Qatar, has stated that the partnership between UNHCR and Qatar is a crucial pillar in tackling global humanitarian crises. During an interview with the Qatar News Agency (QNA), Mohsen highlighted that Qatar, through its government bodies and charitable institutions, has provided comprehensive financial support since 2010.

This assistance has totaled $440 million, which has been instrumental in funding protection programs and delivering life-saving aid to displaced individuals across the globe. Beyond monetary contributions, Qatar's aid encompasses logistical and material support. Mohsen elaborated on this, explaining that Qatar facilitates the transportation of relief supplies to crisis-stricken regions, such as Afghanistan and Lebanon, and engages in significant diplomatic efforts to promote stability and dialogue necessary for implementing voluntary return and local integration initiatives.

The UNHCR official emphasized the tangible impact of this support, pointing out that a significant portion, amounting to $40 million, was provided through the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) since 2019. This flexible, unearmarked funding enabled UNHCR to swiftly respond to emergencies and allocate resources to the most underfunded operations, ensuring the sustained delivery of vital services including healthcare, education, and shelter.

Additionally, Mohsen discussed the innovative financing tools and Islamic philanthropy employed by Qatar. Since 2018, contributions from this source, comprising Zakat and voluntary charity, have reached nearly $145 million. This includes a strategic agreement signed by Qatar Charity (QC) in June, which pledged $10 million to the Global Islamic Fund for Refugees (GIFR).

Mohsen highlighted that the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled to convene with the theme of restoring trust and managing transformation, serves as a critical juncture to reassess international protection efforts and reaffirm the commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of displaced persons. He underlined the urgency of global solidarity in addressing the mounting humanitarian challenges, underscoring the importance of effective partnerships like the one between UNHCR and Qatar in navigating complex crises.