Doha: Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), in collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Doha and Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), marked World Refugee Day with the "Together for Refugees" event at the College of Islamic Studies at HBKU. The event, held under the patronage and attendance of QFFD Chairman, HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al-Thani, gathered humanitarian partners and community members for an evening of dialogue, learning, and interaction.
According to Qatar News Agency, the event aimed to raise awareness of asylum and forced displacement issues, fostering societal understanding of the challenges refugees face while highlighting their contributions to their communities. Interactive activities and meaningful dialogues provided participants the opportunity to engage with humanitarian work and express solidarity with refugees and displaced persons worldwide.
A key feature of the event was a dialogue session titled "From Survival to Opportunity: Enhancing Refugee Resilience and Integration." This session focused on the importance of education, livelihoods, social inclusion, and multilateral partnerships in promoting sustainable pathways towards self-reliance for refugees and host communities. Contributions from the Education Above All Foundation, Qatar Charity, and the College of Islamic Studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa University emphasized initiatives designed to alleviate refugee suffering and support their success.
The event also featured a range of interactive activities, such as educational games, workshops, and discussion platforms. These activities allowed participants of all ages to better understand asylum issues and highlighted the role of sports in promoting inclusion, resilience, and hope, ultimately empowering refugees and creating better future opportunities.
Aisha Saad Al Jassim, Head of Disasters and Emergency Relief at QFFD, stated, "World Refugee Day reminds us that behind every number is a humanitarian story entitled steadfastness, hope, and determination." She emphasized that QFFD's support for refugees extends beyond urgent humanitarian needs to investing in opportunities that allow individuals and communities to rebuild their lives with dignity.
UNHCR Representative to Qatar, Ahmed Mohsen, added that refugees aspire to opportunities rather than relying on aid. By promoting inclusion and providing assistance, UNHCR supports refugees and internally displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and effectively contributing to their host communities. Partnerships with governments and development agencies, such as the Qatar Development Fund, enable investment in solutions that help those forced to flee build better futures.
Through its strategic partnership with UNHCR, QFFD remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance protection, resilience, and sustainable solutions for refugees and displaced communities globally. The "Together for Refugees" event underscores the shared commitment of these institutions to raising awareness and catalyzing collective action in support of vulnerable groups.
As forced displacement remains a global challenge, QFFD and UNHCR reaffirm their commitment to collaborating with governments, humanitarian and development agencies, international organizations, the private sector, and local communities. Together, they aim to create opportunities that allow refugees to overcome displacement challenges and build stable, dignified, and hopeful futures.