Qatar Participates in High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan
.jpg?sfvrsn=26f83538_0)
Doha / Information Office / September 13
The State of Qatar reiterated Monday its full solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and its continuous support till they achieve their legitimate demands for stability, security, peace and development.
This came in the statement of the State of Qatar delivered by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi at the High-level Ministerial Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan, which was held via videoconference.
HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs noted that the State of Qatar provided last week about 118 tons of urgent food and medical supplies, adding that Qatar's financial contributions and assistant to support Afghanistan will reach $50 million.
HE the Minister of State said that the State of Qatar, stemming from its humanitarian duty, hastened to support the evacuation of tens of thousands of foreign and Afghan nationals, and provided temporary housing, meals, health care and COVID-19 vaccines.
The State of Qatar has also sent a specialized technical team to work on partial repairs to Kabul international Airport with the aim of allowing the arrival of vital humanitarian aid and the movement of people, in addition to working to establish safe corridors to deliver urgent aid. The State also supported the distribution of vital humanitarian aid and medical supplies by the United Nations, as well as programs of primary education, HE the Minister added.
HE Al Muraikhi noted that the humanitarian and development challenges, which the Afghan people have suffered for a long time and have been exacerbated due to the threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and drought, require all possible support from the international community in order to help the Afghan people face these difficult conditions, consolidate the progress they have made at various levels, and preserve the rights of all Afghan people.
Based on its believe that achieving comprehensive and sustainable peace is the main factor in improving humanitarian conditions, the State of Qatar has made unremitting and successful efforts over the past years with the aim of supporting the achievement of this desired goal, HE the Minister of State stresses.
The State of Qatar has continued its commitment as an international partner to Afghanistan, building on its impartial mediation and effective international relations to enhance international consensus on Afghanistan to achieve the interests of its people. Doha also hosted many allies, international friends and Afghan leaders, and extensive contacts and consultations were held with them in order to achieve stability in Afghanistan and address humanitarian issues, he continued.
HE stressed the importance of uniting efforts to protect civilians, provide safe corridors, ensure the freedom of movement and access for humanitarian aid; and underlined the need to achieve national reconciliation and preserve the gains made by the Afghan people, in addition to ensuring the fight against terrorism and that Afghanistan would not be a factor in instability in the region in the future.
In conclusion, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi expressed thanks to HE the UN Secretary-General for calling for this meeting, and for directing the efforts of the United Nations to address the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, reaffirming the commitment of the State of Qatar to continue the ongoing close cooperation and coordination with the United Nations in this regard.