HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani announced that Qatar has pledged to provide $50mn to support efforts of humanitarian response plan in Sudan and the regional plan for refugees, stemming from Qatar's fraternal responsibility, and moral and humanitarian duty towards brothers in Sudan and in continuation of its constant humanitarian and development efforts in the sisterly Sudan.
This came during the speech delivered by His Excellency via video conferencing Monday during the high-level pledging conference to support the humanitarian response in Sudan and the region co-chaired by Qatar along with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Germany, the UN, represented by the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the European Union, alongside the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, with the participation of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah al-Saud, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, EUn Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, Director of Health and Humanitarian Affairs at the African Union (AU) Commission Julio Rakotonirina, Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator Martin Griffiths, and HE the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, as well as representatives of Sudan, governments of host countries of refugees, civil society and first responders.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed that Qatar will spare no effort in standing by the brotherly Sudanese people until they overcome this crisis, asserting that the consolidated and firm position of Qatar is to support unity, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the sisterly Sudan and reject any forms of meddling in Sudan's internal affairs and full respect of its people's options in freedom, peace, justice and prosperity.
In this context, His Excellency praised the regional and international efforts, especially the joint Saudi-US mediation that achieved multiple humanitarian armistices, lauding the efforts and endeavors being made by African Union and IGAD, calling for co-ordination among these efforts and endeavours, emphasising that co-ordination in this file exists between Qatar and Egypt with which Qatar aspires to closely work.
HE Sheikh Mohamed confirmed that there is no military solution for this conflict and the only way is through political solution, reiterating Qatar's call on the two parties to the conflict to stop fighting immediately, uphold the public interest of the brotherly Sudanese people, favour dialogue and peaceful means to end the crisis, establish a climate conducive to dialogue and peaceful solution for the conflict, adhere to international humanitarian law and international human rights law which compel all to protect civilians, media and civil institutions and secure access of humanitarian aid to the needy people everywhere without discrimination and with a complete impartiality in accordance with the known international humanitarian principles and standards.
He said Qatar's moral and humanitarian obligation necessitates full solidarity with the brotherly Sudanese people in overcoming the consequences and challenges Sudan is facing, pointing out that Qatar always stands by its brothers in Sudan and its humanitarian and development efforts have been continuing, along with its efforts related to stability and peace in Sudan, adding that Doha agreement for peace in Darfur that was signed in 2011 had been at the forefront of these efforts.
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs added that since the breakout of the current armed conflict and the consequent humanitarian crisis, Qatar has taken the initiative to stand by the Sudanese brothers through operating an air bridge to deliver about 318 tonnes of aid until the date of last plane that delivered aid which included medicines and clothes worth over $4mn, in addition to evacuating 1,784 people through the efforts of some institutions in Qatar, namely: Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Public Health, Qatar Fund for Development, Qatar Charity, and Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS).
His Excellency thanked the International Committee of the Red Cross for its efforts, praising Qatar's partnership with this committee in this crucial file.
He pointed out that the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Sudan requires an urgent response and ample funding to bridge the funding gap in the humanitarian response plan for Sudan and the regional plan for refugees. Therefore, it is essential to provide ample pledges and donations to simultaneously fulfil them as soon as possible to entirely counter and contain the crisis and curb its potential spillover into Sudan's neighbourhood.
HE Sheikh Mohamed said the meeting constitutes a landmark event where eyes of brothers in Sudan are directed to this meeting, therefore, a solidarity message is sent to them from the meeting's platform to confirm that everyone stands by them.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs called on regional and international partners to provide essential donations and financial contributions to mitigate the serious consequences suffered by those affected by the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
His Excellency thanked Saudi Arabia, Egypt, international partners, and UN agencies for their efforts in responding to the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, expressing Qatar's pride in patronising this conference.
