Doha / Information Office / March 31  

The State of Qatar participated in the high-level pledging event to support the humanitarian response in Afghanistan for the year 2022, via video conference technology.
The State of Qatar was represented in the high-level event by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, and HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi.
The event was attended by HE Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, HE Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths, HE Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom Liz Truss, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock, and a number of senior officials.
In the opening statement, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs announced an additional pledge from the State of Qatar of USD 25 million to support the humanitarian response in Afghanistan for the current year.
His Excellency extended his deep thanks to HE the Secretary-General of the United Nations for holding this conference, and expressed happiness for the State of Qatar's participation in hosting the event along with the United Kingdom and Germany, given the important opportunity it represents to shed light on the escalating humanitarian needs in Afghanistan and mobilize international efforts to respond to them.
His Excellency commended the comprehensive efforts and the central role of the United Nations to contribute to the consolidation of peace and stability in Afghanistan and to meet the humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan, and stressed that the State of Qatar will not hesitate to continue close coordination with the United Nations to facilitate the performance of that important role.
His Excellency said that the humanitarian and development challenges that the Afghan people have suffered due to the prolonged conflict, droughts and the Coronavirus pandemic have exacerbated in recent months in light of the current economic and monetary crisis, and Qatar hope that the efforts of the international community will contribute to sparing the Afghan people a real catastrophe and enabling it to address all humanitarian, economic, social, security and human rights challenges and preserve the gains and progress that have been made.
His Excellency stressed that the main factor for improving the humanitarian situation is achieving sustainable peace, and accordingly the State of Qatar has made extensive and successful efforts over the past years to support reaching this desired goal.
His Excellency added that the State of Qatar has been continuing its commitment as a loyal international partner to Afghanistan, and building on its impartial mediation and effective international relations to enhance international consensus on Afghanistan and ensure the interest of its people, and in recent months, Doha hosted many stakeholders, including the Afghan caretaker government, the United Nations and international partners, and intensive contacts and consultations were held with them to achieve stability in Afghanistan and address urgent issues.
His Excellency pointed out that the State of Qatar is undertaking pioneering efforts to facilitate the evacuation of Afghans and foreigners at risk, and that, with the participation of the State of Qatar in providing urgent humanitarian aid, it has launched an air bridge from Qatar to Kabul, through which more than 700 tons of urgent food and medical supplies have been transported so far, with efforts from Qatar Fund for Development, Qatar Charity and the Qatar Red Crescent, and in cooperation with UN agencies (the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).
His Excellency pointed out that the State of Qatar is cooperating with friendly countries in the transfer of aid, and is currently involved with Turkey and the Afghan caretaker government regarding the management and operation of Kabul International Airport. It also continues to play an important role in facilitating United Nations activities and operations in Afghanistan.
His Excellency stressed that urgent humanitarian assistance is not sufficient to meet needs in a sustainable manner, but must also meet development needs, as well as address obstacles caused by the cash crisis and facilitate financing for humanitarian action. In this regard, His Excellency said, Qatar welcome Security Council Resolution 2615, as well as efforts to reallocate part of the funds in the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), and the steps taken towards activating the Humanitarian Exchange Fund (HEF). 

His Excellency noted that some tangible progress has been made in the delivery of humanitarian assistance in recent months, and the caretaker government of Afghanistan has taken some steps in the right direction in terms of economic policy and engagement with the private sector and civil society.
His Excellency said that Qatar is aware that further progress needs time, especially in light of limited capabilities, and at the same time, the State of Qatar continues to stress the need to take concrete measures in the field of inclusiveness, national reconciliation and the protection of human rights, in particular the need to protect and promote women's rights.
His Excellency added that with the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation and economic collapse in Afghanistan, and the increase in the number of people needing humanitarian assistance to survive, Qatar have a collective responsibility to continue the commitment and provide the necessary humanitarian support and funding.
His Excellency explained that the State of Qatar, which has made unremitting and intense efforts to help the Afghan people during this critical stage, has provided support amounting to nearly USD 50 million in recent months, and said that Qatar is pleased to announce today an additional pledge to support the humanitarian response in Afghanistan for 2022 with a total of USD 25 million.
To conclude his speech, His Excellency expressed Qatar's full solidarity with the Afghan people, and said: We will spare no effort to continue supporting it to get what it deserves in reaching a society enjoying stability, security, peace and development.
At the closing session of the high-level pledging event on supporting the humanitarian response in Afghanistan for 2022, HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, praised - in the statement of the State of Qatar - the broad and high-level participation in the event and the generous pledges that were announced.
His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar will not hesitate to continue close coordination with all partners to enable the Afghan people to address all humanitarian, economic and social challenges and to preserve the progress that has been made.
His Excellency expressed the State of Qatar's aspiration to continue building on the positive momentum formed by the high-level event and the sustained and continuous support of the international community with the Afghan people, to ensure stability, security and development in Afghanistan.
His Excellency said that this meeting provided a new opportunity to send a message that demonstrates the collective commitment and readiness of the international community to mobilize efforts to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan, which have been continuing for a long time due to the ongoing conflict, drought and the Coronavirus pandemic.
His Excellency pointed out that the high-level event to announce donations to support the humanitarian response in Afghanistan is taking place at a critical stage, especially since more than 24 million people need humanitarian assistance to survive.
His Excellency believed that this event was also an important opportunity to highlight the growing humanitarian needs in Afghanistan and to stress the urgent need to mitigate the humanitarian impact of the existing crisis on all segments of society, in particular on women, girls and children.
His Excellency stressed that despite the positive results of this high-level event and what it constitutes an important station in the path of the international community's commitment to providing support to Afghanistan, "we still have to redouble collective efforts to achieve the long-term aspirations of the Afghan people for stability, development, prosperity and peace." His Excellency said that the participation of the State of Qatar in hosting this event clearly attests Qatar commitment to continue its continuous good offices over the years to support the efforts made to achieve sustainable peace in Afghanistan, in which improving the humanitarian situation is an essential factor in these endeavors.
His Excellency expressed his deep gratitude to all participants in this high-level event to announce donations in support of the humanitarian response in Afghanistan for the year 2022, and also expressed the State of Qatar's happiness with its co-hosting, along with the United Kingdom, Germany and the United Nations.