Officials of Agencies Supporting OCHA Stress Need for Rapid Humanitarian Action to Address Effects of Wars, Climate Change

Doha: A number of officials from Qatar's agencies supporting the projects of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stressed the necessity of urgent humanitarian action to avoid the dire consequences of wars, conflicts, natural disasters, climate change, and the resulting waves of displacement, asylum, and deportation, during the High-level Strategic Dialogue between the State of Qatar and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), held in Doha on Sunday. In this regard, Deputy Director General for Development Projects at the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) Sultan Ahmed Al Aseeri noted that this dialogue is a crucial and essential moment, given the urgent need for humanitarian action, especially since the situation of humanitarian affairs is suffering greatly due to the humanitarian crises resulting from conflicts, natural disasters, climate change, and the resulting waves of displacement and asylum, which undermines the stability o f various countries in the Middle East and neighboring countries, increasing economic and social pressures, and putting pressure on the education system, health care, and job opportunities. He stressed that all these fundamental changes and great challenges need coordinated efforts to continue saving people and alleviating human suffering. He added that this meeting is of great importance, as it is an essential step in a long path between the State of Qatar and the OCHA that began in 2011, and since then, Qatar has remained committed to these humanitarian efforts through the QFFD. He noted that this partnership with the OCHA office went beyond just raising money, but also developed a framework for humanitarian response and organized emergency response within the 72-hour window. He indicated that through this time window, which was determined through intensive coordination with partners, the QFFD developed a number of resources concerned with housing, shelters, health facilities, and mobile schools for emerg ency and rapid response. He voiced his hope that crises would be responded not only to, but also to be prevented and that this dialogue will establish sustainable peace and security and make a significant difference in the lives of millions. In the same context, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Charity Yousef bin Ahmed Al Kuwari expressed his happiness at participating in this dialogue, which discussed ways of cooperation in joint humanitarian work and addressed the unprecedented humanitarian challenges that have cast a shadow on the lives of millions of people. He pointed out that the past period was exceptional in its grave challenges in all parts of the world and in the Arab region in particular, where it faced unfortunate humanitarian conditions due to conflicts and natural disasters, where communities lost shelter and livelihoods overnight and were deprived of their right to food, water, and access to healthcare and education. He added that 2023 witnessed the largest number of victims of humanitarian c rises and that under these circumstances humanitarian work faced great challenges as the rates of targeting humanitarian workers in conflict areas increased, and that humanitarian organizations also suffered from restricted access to communities in need and the placement of obstacles and restrictions to their delivery of humanitarian aid. This was clearly demonstrated in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which is still ongoing, and the painful scene of the inability of aid convoys to enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing to provide life-saving humanitarian aid to more than two million people, half of whom are children. Yousef bin Ahmed Al Kuwari highlighted that Qatar Charity has had an extended strategic partnership for more than a decade with the OCHA that includes financing, project implementation, exchange of information and expertise, and coordination of humanitarian interventions. This partnership has proven the importance of joint work and cooperation to achieve common humanitarian goals. In December 2023, this partnership with OCHA also resulted in the signing of a letter of intent for cooperation between the two parties to support the implementation of specific projects in areas of humanitarian crises most in need. He added that a USD 10 million agreement was signed on Sunday to contribute to the strategic financing program in 2024 to support OCHA's work and to contribute to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which is the result of this joint cooperation. CEO of the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, Fahad bin Hamad Al Sulaiti, emphasized the necessity of an innovative vision and strategic action to bridge the gap between humanitarian needs and available resources. He highlighted the crucial role of innovation, technology, and data in understanding and efficiently responding to problems. He stressed the importance of innovation in securing funding and accurate data to implement projects aimed at protecting all aspects of education-schools, teachers, and students. He mentioned t hat EAA collaborates with the central data center and UNESCO to track and provide vital field data to understand and expedite responses to attacks on education and handle emergencies, aiding decision-makers in making informed choices. Regarding funding, Al Sulaiti stressed that this is a critical issue and they are working on it through new initiatives at the university level in partnership with the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the private sector, and other UN agencies to sustain education and humanitarian aid and address these challenges. Al Sulaiti also reviewed EAA's efforts in Brazil, Afghanistan, and Palestine, mentioning that the foundation has built over 100 educational institutions over the years, many of which have unfortunately been destroyed. He highlighted significant projects supporting the Palestinian people, encompassing various educational stages and providing food and material aid. Secretary-General of the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), Faisal bin Mohammed Al Emadi, noted tha t the collaboration between the QRCS and OCHA has achieved significant progress in many humanitarian fields, particularly in accelerating crisis response and enhancing local capacities in conflict and disaster-affected areas. He underscored the vital role of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and Qatar's joint crisis funds, which provide essential rapid funding for urgent needs, thereby enabling effective, principled humanitarian action and enhancing collaborative efforts among various humanitarian partners. Al Emadi added that these funds have played a crucial role in speeding up local humanitarian responses, allowing organizations to access necessary resources to execute projects effectively, save lives, and alleviate the suffering of those affected by crises, which strengthens QRCS' position as active partners in the global humanitarian system. He emphasized that government support has been pivotal in the success and stabilization of these initiatives. HE Regional Manager at Qatar Airways Sheikh Ja ssim bin Fahad Al-Thani affirmed that this strategic dialogue is a decisive moment to reaffirm the shared commitment to addressing global humanitarian challenges and making a difference in the lives of those affected by disasters and conflicts. He highlighted that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Qatar Airways and OCHA marks a new chapter in their partnership, enhancing joint efforts to deliver humanitarian aid and reflecting a deep sense of compassion and solidarity as a global community. He reiterated Qatar Airways' commitment to ongoing support and collaboration with the UN to overcome complex challenges and build a more resilient future. The High-level Strategic Dialogue between Qatar and OCHA featured several sessions discussing "strategic cooperation and partnership between Qatar and OCHA," "innovative methods for financing humanitarian aid," "country-specific areas: Afghanistan, Sudan, and Gaza Strip," and "thematic areas: education, information in emergencies, participation in the Doha Forum and INSARAG," as well as an "overview of Qatar's legal system and the framework governing agreements with OCHA." Source: Qatar News Agency