Qatar Takes Part in High-Level Segment of Second Global Refugee Forum in Geneva
Geneva - Media & Communication Dept. - December 13 2023
The State of Qatar on Wednesday participated in the high-level segment of the Second Global Refugee Forum in Geneva.
HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, represented the State of Qatar in the forum.
In remarks before the forum, Her Excellency said since the first edition of the forum, there has been a progress in improving the life of refugees, notwithstanding the challenges that still exist, pointing out that it is alarming to see over 141 million people facing forced displacement and pleading for asylum at the global level, which apparently highlights this aggravated crisis.
She emphasized that the State of Qatar is cooperating with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), along with other organizations to protect and support refugees, indicating that the areas of focus include relief projects and improving the living conditions, particularly the educational opportunities in the conflict zones.
The State of Qatar gives the priority to create job opportunities for young people, enhance economic relief and develop skills, she said, pointing out that between 2014 and 2022 Qatar's support for refugees and UNHCR has reached over $670 million.
She added that Qatar currently chairs the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) and hosts the UNHCR office in the United Nations House in Doha.
HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that Qatar is finalizing the multi-year financial plan with the participation of the United Nations and numerous UN agencies, pointing out that the plan includes supporting UNHCR fundamental resources with a total of $8 million for 2023-2024.
She added that the State of Qatar pledged $50 million for Sudan, including $10 million allocated for the Sudanese refugees, indicating that $2 million from this amount will be allocated for UNHCR.
She outlined that the State of Qatar has facilitated the safe evacuation of over 130,000 Afghan refugees since 2021 and pledged $75 million in support for Afghan people.
Qatar will fund the scholarship programs for the Afghan refugees in collaboration with the United States and Indonesia, she said, adding that Qatar will keep hosting the American University of Afghanistan and will host the 2nd International Conference on Afghan Women's Education in Doha in 2024, in collaboration with Indonesia. Her Excellency emphasized that the State of Qatar has recently pledged $100 million for Ukraine, including the Ukrainian refugees, and pledged additional $75 million for the Syrian refugees bringing the total amount of Qatar's contribution provided to the brotherly Syrian refugees to more than $2 billion.
Her Excellency underscored the significance of finding a just and durable solution for the plight of over 5.9 million registered Palestinian refugees who have been displaced from their lands since 1948, adding that the current war against the civilian population and children in Gaza constitutes a violation of the international humanitarian law and the international human rights law.
She stated that these acts specifically constitute a violation of the Geneva Convention (IV), which prohibits collective punishment, along with Hague statutes that call for the protection of civilians, pointing out that the two additional protocols of Geneva convention prohibit random attacks on civilian population. According to Rome Statute, these attacks constitute a genocide against the indigenous Palestinian population, and crimes against humanity, as well as war crimes, Her Excellency said.
This war had led to the killing of over 18,000 people, over 70% of them were women and children and caused displacement of 1.9 million people with over 49,000 casualties, Her Excellency said.
Her Excellency outlined that by virtue of the joint mediation between the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United States of America a humanitarian pause was reached, as Qatar provides humanitarian support, including nearly 1,500 tons of medical assistance, food supplies and urgent fundamental needs, alongside a field hospital.
Qatar has just provided $18 million as a core funding to UNRWA for 2023-2024, she said, adding that today Qatar pledged over $50 million as a primary humanitarian assistance package that targets refugees, displaced people, wounded people, orphans, and those affected by this aggression. They also announced last week that the State of Qatar is committed to providing health care for 1,500 of Palestinian wounded civilians, some of them have been already transferred to Doha, as well as supporting 3,000 children who lost their parents in this war against the civilians in Gaza. Moreover, Qatar pledges100 scholarships for the Palestinian young people through Al Fakhoora program, Her Excellency pointed out.
HE Minister of State for International Cooperation said that since Israel is an occupation force, it is committed to ensuring the protection for civilians who are subject to its occupation, as well as their well-being and human rights, adding that article 33 of Geneva Convention (IV) prohibits collective punishment, while article 50 stipulates that the existing occupation power shall facilitate the good operation of all institutions dedicated to caring for children and educating them.
She pointed out that article 55 confirms that the occupier is committed to ensuring the provision of food and medical supplies, with the article 59 imposing the commitment on the occupier to facilitate the relief efforts and plans whenever ample supplies have not been provided for the area under occupation.
She added that accountability must be revisited to ensure non-recurrence of such attacks and ensure commitment to a sustainable solution that respects the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people as recognized in international law, including the right to self-determination, the right to establish an independent state, and the right of return.
Her Excellency reiterated the State of Qatar's ironclad commitment to steadfastly boosting its relationship and strategic partnerships with UNHCR, as well as providing the essential support for the efforts aimed at protecting and helping the refugees.
The State of Qatar on Wednesday participated in the high-level segment of the Second Global Refugee Forum in Geneva.
HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, represented the State of Qatar in the forum.
In remarks before the forum, Her Excellency said since the first edition of the forum, there has been a progress in improving the life of refugees, notwithstanding the challenges that still exist, pointing out that it is alarming to see over 141 million people facing forced displacement and pleading for asylum at the global level, which apparently highlights this aggravated crisis.
She emphasized that the State of Qatar is cooperating with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), along with other organizations to protect and support refugees, indicating that the areas of focus include relief projects and improving the living conditions, particularly the educational opportunities in the conflict zones.
The State of Qatar gives the priority to create job opportunities for young people, enhance economic relief and develop skills, she said, pointing out that between 2014 and 2022 Qatar's support for refugees and UNHCR has reached over $670 million.
She added that Qatar currently chairs the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) and hosts the UNHCR office in the United Nations House in Doha.
HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that Qatar is finalizing the multi-year financial plan with the participation of the United Nations and numerous UN agencies, pointing out that the plan includes supporting UNHCR fundamental resources with a total of $8 million for 2023-2024.
She added that the State of Qatar pledged $50 million for Sudan, including $10 million allocated for the Sudanese refugees, indicating that $2 million from this amount will be allocated for UNHCR.
She outlined that the State of Qatar has facilitated the safe evacuation of over 130,000 Afghan refugees since 2021 and pledged $75 million in support for Afghan people.
Qatar will fund the scholarship programs for the Afghan refugees in collaboration with the United States and Indonesia, she said, adding that Qatar will keep hosting the American University of Afghanistan and will host the 2nd International Conference on Afghan Women's Education in Doha in 2024, in collaboration with Indonesia. Her Excellency emphasized that the State of Qatar has recently pledged $100 million for Ukraine, including the Ukrainian refugees, and pledged additional $75 million for the Syrian refugees bringing the total amount of Qatar's contribution provided to the brotherly Syrian refugees to more than $2 billion.
Her Excellency underscored the significance of finding a just and durable solution for the plight of over 5.9 million registered Palestinian refugees who have been displaced from their lands since 1948, adding that the current war against the civilian population and children in Gaza constitutes a violation of the international humanitarian law and the international human rights law.
She stated that these acts specifically constitute a violation of the Geneva Convention (IV), which prohibits collective punishment, along with Hague statutes that call for the protection of civilians, pointing out that the two additional protocols of Geneva convention prohibit random attacks on civilian population. According to Rome Statute, these attacks constitute a genocide against the indigenous Palestinian population, and crimes against humanity, as well as war crimes, Her Excellency said.
This war had led to the killing of over 18,000 people, over 70% of them were women and children and caused displacement of 1.9 million people with over 49,000 casualties, Her Excellency said.
Her Excellency outlined that by virtue of the joint mediation between the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United States of America a humanitarian pause was reached, as Qatar provides humanitarian support, including nearly 1,500 tons of medical assistance, food supplies and urgent fundamental needs, alongside a field hospital.
Qatar has just provided $18 million as a core funding to UNRWA for 2023-2024, she said, adding that today Qatar pledged over $50 million as a primary humanitarian assistance package that targets refugees, displaced people, wounded people, orphans, and those affected by this aggression. They also announced last week that the State of Qatar is committed to providing health care for 1,500 of Palestinian wounded civilians, some of them have been already transferred to Doha, as well as supporting 3,000 children who lost their parents in this war against the civilians in Gaza. Moreover, Qatar pledges100 scholarships for the Palestinian young people through Al Fakhoora program, Her Excellency pointed out.
HE Minister of State for International Cooperation said that since Israel is an occupation force, it is committed to ensuring the protection for civilians who are subject to its occupation, as well as their well-being and human rights, adding that article 33 of Geneva Convention (IV) prohibits collective punishment, while article 50 stipulates that the existing occupation power shall facilitate the good operation of all institutions dedicated to caring for children and educating them.
She pointed out that article 55 confirms that the occupier is committed to ensuring the provision of food and medical supplies, with the article 59 imposing the commitment on the occupier to facilitate the relief efforts and plans whenever ample supplies have not been provided for the area under occupation.
She added that accountability must be revisited to ensure non-recurrence of such attacks and ensure commitment to a sustainable solution that respects the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people as recognized in international law, including the right to self-determination, the right to establish an independent state, and the right of return.
Her Excellency reiterated the State of Qatar's ironclad commitment to steadfastly boosting its relationship and strategic partnerships with UNHCR, as well as providing the essential support for the efforts aimed at protecting and helping the refugees.