Qatar Renews Commitment to Providing Necessary Support to UNHCR

Qatar Renews Commitment to Providing Necessary Support to UNHCR

The State of Qatar reiterated its commitment to continuing the provision of all forms of support necessary for the activities and programs of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Addressing the General Debate of the 72nd session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Program, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri said that the State of Qatar looks forward for the Global Compact on Refugees to contribute to strengthening the global response, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

HE Al Mansouri said that the issues of asylum and refugee are of great importance to the world for the time being, due to the continuous increase in the number of refugees, the deterioration of their conditions, and the widening circle of conflicts and wars, in addition to natural disasters, climate change and other crises that cause the displacement of millions of people and force them to leave their regions and countries.

These crises pushed many refugees to risk their lives and the lives of their families, and to be exposed to extortion, violence and death at sea, in order to reach safety, protection and security, and to live in dignity and enjoy the rights guaranteed to them by international conventions, he added.

Meanwhile, HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar expressed concern over the negative impacts of the COVID pandemic on the health, economic, social and living conditions of refugees, displaced persons and the hosting communities, commending all efforts made to ensure refugees' access to vaccines.

HE Al Mansouri called for accelerating the removal of all obstacles that limit vaccination campaigns for refugees and address the issue of inequality in the distribution of vaccines. He expressed regret over the spread of hate speech and negative reactions against the refugees in a number of parts of the world, indicating that they are victims who were displaced from their homes in search of safety. "We call on the international community to promote the approach of cooperation and joint action to face the challenges of asylum and address its root causes," HE added.

HE Al Mansouri noted that the State of Qatar and the Qatari charitable and humanitarian institutions are keen on strengthening and developing strategic partnerships and coordinating efforts with many international humanitarian organizations in order to support refugee issues, improve their living conditions and alleviate their suffering in various parts of the world. He referred to various aspects of support provided to refugees and the hosting communities, including protection, provision of humanitarian and medical assistance, implementation of relief and development projects, rehabilitation of vital facilities, provision of educational opportunities for children, especially in conflict areas, provision of job opportunities for young people and helping them build their capacities and skills.

HE added that the volume of Qatari governmental and non-governmental contributions to the UNHCR during the current year - up to September 27, 2021 - amounted to approximately $40 million. "The State of Qatar has been keen on making mediation efforts in many conflicts and disputes to find peaceful solutions and achieve peace and sustainable development, which in turn contributes to reducing refugee waves," he continued.

In light of the critical and difficult times Afghanistan is going through, the State of Qatar has been keen to deliver humanitarian aid and facilitate the evacuation of tens of thousands of Afghan brothers, including families, employees, journalists, athletes, children, and many Afghan women who feel they are in danger. They were hosted in the State of Qatar until they travel to their final destinations, and were provided with full care and all necessary services, as well as COVID-19 tests and vaccinations, HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar said.

He noted that the State of Qatar granted scholarships to a female Afghan robotics team known as the Afghan Dreamers to study at Qatar Foundations schools, which reflects the commitment of the State of Qatar to guarantee the right to education, and to enable them to contribute effectively to rebuilding their country.

He underlined that the Afghan people, in light of the current conditions, deserve the support of the international community by providing humanitarian and development assistance, stressing that this assistance should be independent and separated from political calculations. (QNA)