Doha: The State of Qatar will celebrate World Refugee Day, which falls on June 20 every year, with countries of the world today.
The day was set by the United Nations to celebrate and honour refugees from around the world and highlight the strength and courage of people who were forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution, as well as mobilize sympathy and understanding for their plight and appreciation of their determination to rebuild their lives.
This day was celebrated worldwide for the first time on June 20, 2001, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. It was previously known as “African Refugee Day” before the United Nations General Assembly officially designated it as the international day of refugees around the world in December 2000.
Qatar has always been one of the main supporters of the UN’s efforts in the field of supporting refugees and displaced persons. It is a constant partner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in addition to its permanent membership in the support platform dedicated to the solutions strategy for Afghan refugees. The total contributions provided by the government and Qatari authorities to UNHCR amounted to more than $354 million Qatars support for UNHCRs efforts is not limited to financial assistance; it has always been present alongside United Nations organizations and agencies. Last November, Qatar signed an agreement with the World Food Program to provide a financial contribution of $90 million to help meet urgent food security needs in Yemen. In the same month, Qatar also signed an agreement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), amounting to $18 million, with additional comprehensive support for Palestinian refugees in Syria in the health, education and economic development sectors, with a total amount of $7 million.
Qatar’s continuous support and generous contributions to organizations concerned with migration stem from its commitment to strengthening the strong strategic partnership with the United Nations system to achieve the goals of the international organization, and its strong commitment to the principles of shared responsibility and multilateral action, as it is one of the leading countries in providing development and relief assistance.
The State, institutions and humanitarian charities in Qatar continue to provide various forms of support to the UNHCR, sign several partnership and cooperation agreements and establish an office for UNHCR in Doha, believing in the importance of strengthening international cooperation and confronting international crises collectively and in coordination.
Qatar has confirmed in many international forums that it will continue to provide the necessary support to the efforts of the UNHCR to enable it to implement its humanitarian programs and activities around the world, as well as enhance its ability to respond to the increasing humanitarian needs resulting from waves of asylum and forced displacement.
The State of Qatar had a prominent global role, whether in aiding the displaced Afghans, or in assisting countries of the world in evacuating their nationals from Afghanistan during the transitional period it recently went through. Doha took the lead in accommodating thousands of Afghan refugees fleeing the scourge of the conflict in their country at the time and providing aid to the Afghan people through all forms and mechanisms.
The State of Qatar, a permanent member of the support platform dedicated to the solutions strategy for Afghan refugees, is a consistent partner of UNHCR, as it has always supported its operations around the world to assist refugees and forcibly displaced people around the world.
The State of Qatar has a firm commitment to support refugees and other forcibly displaced people around the world. The Qatar Fund for Development, in support of the UNHCR, signed an agreement to provide flexible funding to UNHCR for the two years (2021 / 2022), with the aim of supporting its humanitarian efforts around the world.
Observers believe that the food security crisis fueled by the Ukraine war will push more people to flee their homes in poorer countries, leading to higher levels of global displacement. The latest UN report showed that about 89.3 million people were forcibly displaced around the world as a result of persecution, conflict, abuse and violence at the end of last year, and since then millions more have fled Ukraine or been displaced within its borders with the high prices linked to the ban on grain exports, which would cause more displacement to other places.
Observers also wonder about the expected scene of refugee waves at the near level, especially considering the food crisis that the world is suffering from, in addition to the outbreak of tensions here and there, the disruption of transport and supplies, and the violation of human rights, as well as the exacerbation of the climate crisis and the rising fears of the emergence of new epidemics. It is clear that the impact will be very devastating if a quick solution is not found, as more people will already flee their homes and countries, whether due to high prices, wars, water shortages, drought, unemployment, disease or violent insurgencies.
Despite repeated international calls to provide more support and assistance to refugees in various regions of the world, the reality reveals the growing tragedies experienced by people who have been forced by political systems in their countries, armed conflicts, or climate changes, to migrate, leave their homes and seek asylum in other countries. It highlights the need for real and impartial international solidarity to find radical solutions to contain the increasing numbers of refugees, and give them a dose of hope for a better future that guarantees them a decent life, preserves their dignity and their humanity.
