Geneva, - The State of Qatar confirmed that the world today is witnessing turmoil and facing several challenges, particularly wars, struggles, persecution and the impacts of climate change. These forced more than 141 million persons into forced displacement and became refugees in search of protection and help.
This was included in a statement of the State of Qatar delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Office in Geneva, Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah, during the 2024 annual pledges conference of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, held Tuesday at the United Nations Palace in Geneva.
Her Excellency noted that most states hosting the vast majority of the refugees are from middle and low-income countries, which already suffer from economic, social and developmental crises, adding that this necessitates that the international community increases joint coordination, burden-sharing and providing the necessary support for the humanitarian and development response efforts of refugees and their host countries and communities.
Her Excellency indicated that, based on the belief of the State of Qatar and Qatari humanitarian and charitable organizations in the importance of enhancing cooperation and the spirit of international solidarity in confronting international crises, it has ensured to be among the most prominent and key supporters of the efforts of the UN, its agencies and international humanitarian organizations in helping refugees and displaced people worldwide. This contributed to providing protection, education, health care and accommodation, finding employment, enhancing economic development and improving their standard of living.
Her Excellency affirmed the State of Qatar's commitment to enhance its strategic partnership with the UNHCR, as it is a member of the 20+ million club, which includes the most prominent donor countries cooperating with the UNHCR, in addition to its current presidency of the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR). The State of Qatar also hosted and supported the operating budget of the UNHCR's office in Doha at the UN House, which hosts the offices of several UN agencies, as part of the State of Qatars continued support for the programs and initiatives of the UN and its various agencies.
Her Excellency explained that the State of Qatar is about to finish adopting a multiannual funding plan, which joins the UN and a number of its agencies and programs, noting that this plan will include support for the UNHCR's basic resources with a total of USD 8 million over the period 2023-2024. This is in addition to the allocation of USD 2 million for the UNHCR to provide urgent humanitarian aid to 240,000 people from the Sudanese refugees in Southern Sudan, and the Southern Sudanese returning to the south from Sudan as part of the response to the Sudanese crisis.
Her Excellency also expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian situation of the brotherly Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip since November 7, as the Israeli occupation continued its serious violations and crimes. This resulted in the death of more than 15,000 people, out of them 6,150 children and 4,000 women. In addition, more than 300 housing units were fully or partially demolished, more than 81 hospitals and health centers became inoperative, and the forced mass displacement of 1.8 million persons. Not to mention the bombardment of the Palestinian refugee camps and shelters, including the UNRWA hospitals and schools resulting in the martyring of 101 agency employees.
Her Excellency called for the international community to assume its moral and legal responsibility to provide protection to the Palestinians and force Israel to abide by International Law and International Humanitarian Law, taking all the necessary measures and procedures to reach a permanent ceasefire. This is in addition to securing the flow of adequate humanitarian assistance and ensuring its unimpeded access to all those in need throughout the Gaza Strip.
HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar expressed her hope that the Second Global Refugee Forum contributes to strengthening the global response and finding solutions to the levels of displacement, adding that the State of Qatar appreciates the outstanding efforts of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, under the leadership of Mr. Filippo Grandi, to enhance the protection of refugees, alleviate their suffering, guarantee their rights and find lasting solutions to their plight.
Source: Qatar News Agency