Rohingya Muslims to get $2m QC aid

Qatar Charity CEO, Yusuf bin Ahmed Al Kuwari (second left) exchanges documents with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Imran Rida, at Qatar Charity Headquarters in Doha yesterday. Kammutty VP

The Peninsula Qatar:

May 1, 2013

DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) will donate $2m (QR7.3m) in relief funds for the displaced Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

The aid comes following an agreement signed between Qatar Charity (QC) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) yesterday, which will directly benefit some 10,000 people in the region.

The QC donation is part of the humanitarian assistance worth $17m that has been provided by the UNHCR to provide shelter to the displaced.

The agreement was signed by Imran Rida, UNHCR regional representative to the GGC, and Yusuf bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of QC in Doha.

The UNHCR project will build 1,360 housing units, two multi-purpose facilities, 11 polyclinics, 115 kitchens and 18 stores.

“Qatar has donated at a time when the people of Myanmar desperately need aid to build roofs over their heads to protect themselves in coming rainy season,” Rida said. He refused to comment on a question about the reluctance of the Myanmar government to allow foreign humanitarian aid into the country.

“I am not authorised to speak on politics. My job is to deliver humanitarian aid to the displaced persons,” Rida added.

The financial donations will also see construction of temporary shelters and distribution of food.

“We are sending our aid in collaboration with UNHCR and as per the contract a representative from QC will be there, so there is no need to worry about the delivery of funds,” Al Kuwari said.

“QC is keen to promote partnerships with international humanitarian organisations and to provide aid to refugees and displaced persons around the world, especially in countries like Myanmar,” Al Kuwari added.

Qatar Charity had also signed an agreement with UNHCR in June last year, as per which the organisation provided QR1.1m to support Rohingya Muslims.

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