Qatar, IGAD Sign Deal To Support Horn of Africa

QATAR Charity (QC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to enhance cooperation in the field of emergency relief, humanitarian assistance and sustainable development in the Horn of Africa.
Signed in the presence of the UN Secretary-General’s Humanitarian Envoy, Dr Ahmed al Meraikhi, it is a strategic partnership agreement aiming at completing relief and development projects implemented by QC’s field offices in East Africa.
Dr Meraikhi expressed his pleasure at attending the signing of the MoU, which according to him, would strengthen the UN approaches to bridge the gap between relief and development.
QC’s Chief Executive Officer Yousif bin Ahmed al Kuwari said:”We welcome cooperation with regional and international institutions in the field of relief, humanitarian assistance and development. QC and IGAD will cooperate on issues of common concern, including providing services and implementing humanitarian projects within the framework of the overall objectives and sectors of mutual interest.”
He pointed out that Qatar Charity affirms its keenness to ensure the success of this partnership in order to achieve the agreed goals, which include alleviating the suffering of the affected people, contributing to restoring peace and social harmony in the countries affected by the conflicts in the IGAD region, advocacy of humanitarian and development issues and capacity-building and focusing on sustainable development programmes in education, culture, health, water and sanitation, production, food security, alternative livelihoods, fisheries, livestock, dry-land farming and others.
IGAD’s Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalem said:”I am delighted to have signed this MoU with an institution known for its great capabilities to carry out the humanitarian and development work.”
He pointed out that the both parties would consult on the selection of partners in countries where there is no field office for any of them, and that IGAD undertakes to use existing structures in member states with a view to completing any project agreed upon by both parties.
Based on the MoU, the IGAD will focus on a number of interventions, the most important of which are the production and food security sectors, including alternative livelihoods, fisheries, livestock, dryland agriculture and food and climate early warning, as well as trade, investment, financial integration, infrastructure, support services and cooperation among member states, Maalem added.
In accordance with the MoU, IGAD’s expertise might be sought by Qatar Charity, if needed. Both parties also agreed to provide funding from their own sources or from their strategic partners and donors for the implementation of projects as well as they agreed to consult immediately in case of emergencies with the aim of coordination of a common response. Emergency cooperation includes the use of the partners’ network for emergency relief and assistance.
IGAD, based in Djibouti, is a regional integration institution comprising Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Southern Sudan and Uganda, and promotes cooperation among member states through the implementation of common policies and programmes aimed at achieving development.