Doha: Qatar’s growing support to crisis-affected nations through various international development activities ensures access to quality education, said a Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) official. Noting the lack of educational facilities for vulnerable children, Director General QFFD Khalifa Jassim Al Kuwari, in an online discussion with Education Cannot Wait (ECW), highlighted Qatar’s pivotal role in committing to providing better education.
During the High-Level Conference held in Geneva this year, QFFD announced a contribution of $20m (QR72.8m) to ECW, aiming to provide a better learning environment. “This stems from Qatar’s recognition that education is a fundamental human right and its attainability is essential for promoting peace, stability, and development in conflict and disaster-affected countries,” said Al Kuwari. Stressing that children worldwide are the most impacted due to poor educational quality amidst conflicts, discrimination, and poverty, he said, “This risks them being left behind, missing out on the opportunity to develop their full potential. By supporting ECW’s work to reach 20 million crisis-impacted children in the next four years, Qatar aims to invest in a better future for these vulnerable children and contribute to the global efforts to leave no one behind.”
He outlined that Qatar’s vital partnership with ECW and many such organisations could lead to the enhancement of cooperation and solidarity. QFFD along with its strategic partners including Education Above All (EAA) strives further to encounter education-related issues in over 40 countries globally. He said Qatar's support to education would “break the cycle of poverty and conflict” and drive economic progress by developing stronger communities.
Speaking on the mutual goals to provide a better teaching environment to displaced localities around the world, Al Kuwari mentioned that discovering high-end needs and supporting top-notch quality programmes must be the foremost priorities to make a difference in children’s lives.
“We can also explore new partnership opportunities with other interested stakeholders in the Arab world, specifically such as grant foundations, high net-worth donors and other blended financing modalities. By expanding our networks and building strong partnerships, we can increase our reach and impact.”
Discussing Qatar’s active participation in offering constant support for development throughout the world, he added, “Whether through targeted access to healthcare services for underprivileged and deprived communities, providing educational facilities and resources for out-of-school children, or building necessary infrastructure such as roads, water and sanitation networks, QFFD projects have helped millions of people around the world overcome basic barriers to human needs and essential freedoms.”
Over the past 10 years, QFFD and EAA have joined hands in supporting more than 70 countries by building schools, institutes, and universities in addition to empowering education in the least developed nations which amounted to over $1bn (QR3.6bn).
