February 21, 11

NEWS / UN humanitarian chief lauds Qatars role in global relief efforts

20 February 2011 – United Nations humanitarian chief Valerie Amos wrapped up her first visit to Qatar today by commending the important role played by the Gulf nation in global relief efforts, particularly in disaster response.

“We share a determination to improve the lives of people affected by humanitarian disasters around the world,” said Ms. Amos, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

She said her visit is about deepening and strengthening the partnership between Qatar, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the wider humanitarian community.

Qatar is a participant in various global humanitarian efforts such as the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, a global network of more than 80 countries and disaster response organizations under the UN umbrella that provides urban search and rescue services after natural disasters.

It is also a member of the advisory group for the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), an OCHA-managed fund designed to ensure rapid and reliable assistance for people affected by conflict and natural disasters.

In addition, the Qatar Charity is a signatory to the Stand-By Partnership Agreement that helps deploy national aid workers to major humanitarian emergencies worldwide through the UN.

While in the capital, Doha, Ms. Amos met with a number of senior Government officials, including Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, as well as senior representatives from civil society and non-governmental organizations.

Among the issues Ms. Amos discussed with Government officials is the Qatari-led HOPEFOR initiative, which was launched in June 2010 by the Prime Minister with the aim of improving the use of civil and military defense assets in relief operations.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37574&Cr=Qatar&Cr1=