The Qatar Fund for Development (acronym: QFFD, Arabic: صندوق قطر للتنمية) is a government entity in the State of Qatar, which is responsible for Qatar's international development and foreign aid; it was established by Law 19 of 2002.[1] The QFFD also coordinates with the country's charitable and development institutions regarding the implementation of Qatari foreign policy and aid strategy through their work in foreign relief and development assistance.[2]

According to the OECD, Qatar provided US$820 million in official development assistance in 2022, representing 0.46% of GNI.[3]

Management

Qatar Fund for Development is headed by its director-general Khalifa Jassim Al-Kuwari,[4][5] and its chairman Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

Charity and aid work

Qatar fund for development has made many partnerships with many of the lead charities in the world.

In May 2017, the QFFD met with UNESCO to discuss the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, which the QFFD helps fund, though other areas of cooperation were also incorporated into the discussion.[6]

Qatar has also pledged to help Rohingya refugees in Malaysia using the money from the QFFD.[7]

Cooperation with Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict

On 18 November 2022, The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG CAAC) and Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) collaborated to attend the Youth Festival of Generation Awesome.The participation seeks to promote international cooperation to enhance children's protection and increase awareness of the issue of children impacted by armed conflict.[8]

Cooperation with United States Agency for International Development

On 28 March 2023, a financial agreement has been signed between the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support Syria Civil Defense ("White Helmets") core activities and maintain life-saving services in Northwest Syria. In order to meet immediate humanitarian demands, the White Helmets will be able to afford the necessary expenses for the deployment of volunteer field teams, the upkeep and operation of search and rescue equipment, and the provision of medical supplies. Several earthquakes that slammed Syria and Turkey caused devastation to the region's infrastructure as well as thousands of injuries and fatalities. The White Helmets proclaimed a state of emergency in Northwest Syria as soon as the earthquake struck and started to act right away.[9]

Cooperation with WHO

On 9 May 2023, Qatar Fund for development signed an agreement with WHO to provide medical services to Afghanistan. According to WHO, the two organizations will facilitate distribution to healthcare facilities and offer "pre-qualified medicine for primary health care." Several diseases are treated and prevented with the help of the medication. The Diseases include those that affect maternal, neonatal, and child mortality as well as sexual and reproductive health.[10][11]

Cooperation with QRCS

As part of an emergency reaction to the current conflict, the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) provided food boxes to the Palestinians housed inside the Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis Governorate, southern Gaza, with financing from the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD). In a statement released on October 28, 2023, QRCS stated that as part of the urgent humanitarian interventions project for the Gaza population, which is funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), its relief team will provide 1,000 shelter kits.[12][13]

Cooperation with UNRWA

On December 4, 2023, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and UNRWA signed a multiyear contribution agreement worth US$18 million for 2023–2024. The funding will provide support to Palestinian refugees, with a particular focus on addressing the increasing needs of those residing in the Gaza Strip. QFFD strives to offer financial tools to support efficient and impactful humanitarian and development aid. Under this agreement, QFFD will support the agency's essential work to ensure uninterrupted services, including emergency response initiatives for Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip.“This contribution from QFFD comes at a critical time for the Agency as we look to scale up our operations to meet the unprecedented humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip and across the Middle East.Multiyear agreements such as this one safeguard the Agency’s continued delivery of aid and services to Palestine Refugees and all civilians in times of emergency. I am grateful to Qatar for its continued support.” - Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General [14]

References

  1. ↑ "Qatar's Development Co-operation". OECD. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  2. ↑ "QFFD holds meet with charitable institutions". Gulf Times. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  3. ↑ "Development Co-operation Profiles – Qatar". OECD iLibrary.
  4. ↑ "H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari | Department of Economic and Social Affairs". sdgs.un.org. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  5. ↑ "Qatar Fund for Development signs deal to support Palestinians". The Peninsula. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  6. ↑ "UNESCO and the Qatar Fund For Development meet in Doha". UNESCO. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  7. ↑ Shahar, Fairuz Mohd (17 February 2017). "Qatar Development Fund to benefit 56,135 Rohingya in M'sia". New Straits Times. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  8. ↑ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 festivities: Qatar Fund for Development, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict participate in Generation Amazing Youth Festival". Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.
  9. ↑ "Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Cooperate to Support the White Helmets in Northwest Syria. | Syria | Press Release". U.S. Agency for International Development. 2023-03-28. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  10. ↑ Qarjouli, Asmahan (2023-05-10). "Qatar Fund and WHO step up efforts to provide medical assistance to Afghanistan". Doha News | Qatar. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  11. ↑ Administrator. "Qatar Fund for Development provides life-saving essential medicines to under-served areas in Afghanistan in collaboration with the WHO". World Health Organization - Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  12. ↑ https://www.qrcs.org.qa/en/News/Pages/With-Funding-from-QFFD,-QRCS-Distributes-Urgent-Assistance-in-Gaza.aspx?NewsId=xl6sSDWs5qA
  13. ↑ "With Funding from QFFD, QRCS Distributes Urgent Assistance to Displaced People in Gaza Strip". www.qna.org.qa. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  14. ↑ https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/news-releases/qatar-fund-development-pledges-contribution-us-18-million-support-unrwa-23-24
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