Doha: The Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities (RACA) has asked residents to make donations through proper channels to avoid legal action.
“Do not to be exploited in sending funds outside the country to suspicious entities for charitable purposes. You may be held legally accountable. In case of suspicion, report to RACA on the hotline 16010,” the Authority said in a tweet.
Any person or entity who exploits the wishes of others to do good and raise funds through chat programs and electronic messages without a license from RACA shall be held legally accountable, said the Authority. The Authority asked people to make sure that the donations are made through the bank accounts of non-profit organizations licensed by the Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities.
RACA makes policies and measures that enhance accountability and transparency in the NPO sector for protecting NPOs from exploitation in terrorist financing.
RACA issues licenses for charities and private charitable foundations and supervises and monitors their administrative and financial affairs to ensure that donations are made to the deserving beneficiaries.
To ensure the transparency in charity works, registration and other necessary details of nonprofit organizations operating in the State of Qatar can be found at RACA’s website:
Non-profit organizations are committed to disclosing background information and making their final accounts and financial reports available to the public on their websites.
Non-profit organizations in the State of Qatar shall abide by the controls and procedures stipulated in the rules and instructions of integrity and transparency issued by RACA.
Any person or entity who engages in the collection of donations without prior authorisation from RACA is held liable in accordance with the law. Donors are asked to make sure there is a valid license from RACA.
The Authority said that with the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, fraudsters exploit people’s love for charity, so make sure to donate to the entities licensed by the Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities.
RACA has asked the donors to not engage with those raising funds without a license.
