Qatar announces $25m in support of Pakistan
Geneva, The Gulf Observer: Qatar has announced that it has provided $25m as support for Pakistan. This came in Qatar’s speech delivered on Monday by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi at the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan, held in Geneva.
During the speech, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs conveyed the greetings of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, accompanied by His Highness’s wishes that the conference achieves its desired goals.
His Excellency explained that Qatar’s support stems from its firm commitment to the spirit of international solidarity and cooperation and their role in mitigating crises, the importance of meeting the needs and priorities of reform and reconstruction stages following the devastating floods, and continuing to intensify the efforts and mobilize the support and assistance for Pakistan.
The minister pointed out that the conference is held when the climate crisis is still at the top of the global agenda, noting that it continues to have negative repercussions, causing severe damage to various sectors and impacting hundreds of millions of people around the world.
“It was saddening and grieving to see the scale of this devastating disaster, the loss of lives, and the painful scenes of destruction caused by the floods in Pakistan, along with the tragedies, displacement and suffering facing the brotherly people of Pakistan,” Al Muraikhi said.
The minister indicated that the scale of this devastating crisis is evidence and a reminder that climate change still constitutes an existential threat that emphasizes the importance of international solidarity and cooperation, as well as taking urgent measures to address the challenges of the world’s common destiny.
Al Muraikhi commended the Pakistani government’s response and the valuable endeavors made by the United Nations and all humanitarian actors to meet the urgent needs, as well as commended the efforts made to prepare a Post Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNA).
His Excellency pointed out that Qatar has given great attention to the issue of international partnership and cooperation, explaining that Qatar spared no effort in its solidarity and standing by Pakistan – people and government – and in providing urgent relief aid to support those affected by the floods, out of its recognition of the importance of multilateral cooperation and in commitment to values based on solidarity and partnership.
The minister added that Qatar is pleased to point out that, under the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) provided the first batch of urgent relief aid to those affected by the floods.
“In September 2022, Qatar also dispatched the first flight of the air bridge to support Pakistan to confront the floods, and that flight was equipped with specialized mechanisms for search and rescue operations, as well as a medical team with integrated medical equipment,” he said.
His Excellency expressed the State of Qatar’s full solidarity with the people and government of Pakistan, stressing that Qatar will spare no effort to recover and alleviate the impact of this unprecedented disaster.
