In a high-level presence of H.E. Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of QFFD, and H.E. Mrs. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation: Qatar Fund for Development Signs US$20 Million Core Contribution Agreement to Support UNRWA’s Regular Resources

The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has signed a core contribution agreement of US$20 million with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to support the regular resources in 2025–2026 across the occupied Palestinian territory, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.
This contribution will enable UNRWA to continue its vital human development efforts in support of Palestine Refugees, particularly in primary healthcare and education. It will further bolster UNRWA’s humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip, where the Agency remains central to the United Nations’ response over twenty months into the conflict. Despite immense challenges, schools and health centers continue to deliver crucial services through adapted, context-specific approaches.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by H.E. Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Fund for Development, and H.E. Mrs. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Fund for Development. The agreement was signed by Mr. Fahad bin Hamad Al Sulaiti, Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development, and H.E. Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA.

On this occasion, Mr. Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Director General of QFFD, stated: “This agreement reaffirms the State of Qatar’s unwavering commitment to supporting the brotherly Palestinian people amid the most severe humanitarian crisis of our time. Our contribution to UNRWA reflects a long-standing partnership dedicated to ensuring the continued delivery of essential services, preserving the dignity of refugees, and reinforcing their resilience. We firmly believe that international solidarity and a shared sense of responsibility are fundamental to an effective humanitarian response that paves the way for a more stable and prosperous future”.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated: “Qatar was the first Arab country to sign a multiyear agreement with UNRWA in December 2018. The consistent and generous support of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) reflects the unwavering commitment of Qatar to Palestine Refugees in the occupied Palestinian territory and across the region. I hope that other Arab countries will also provide additional contributions to UNRWA at a time of unprecedented financial precarity and ongoing political attacks. I look forward to reinforcing our valuable partnership with QFFD and the State of Qatar.”
QFFD’s enduring partnership with UNRWA is grounded in a shared commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of Palestine Refugees across the region. This is reflected in cumulative contributions exceeding US$180 million, including US$20 million committed for 2024. Such sustained support underscores Qatar’s unwavering dedication to humanitarian principles and international solidarity, working closely with partners to alleviate suffering and promote sustainable development for vulnerable communities.

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