Qatar based Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund will contribute $43mn to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Refugee Zakat Fund in 2020 to support 2.2mn people in eight countries, an official said Sunday.
“We entered into an agreement with the UNHCR for the distribution of Zakat funds, earlier this year, to support refugees and internally displaced persons,” explained Dr Aize al-Qahtani, a representative of Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund.
Al-Qahtani was speaking at the launch of the UNHCR Islamic Philanthropy Report at a webinar.
“Bangladesh, Yemen, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Malaysia and Mauritania are eight countries where assistance and support will be provided for the needy. Through this additional contribution, 608,980 refugee and internally displaced Yemenis; 143,000 Syrian refugee families in Lebanon; 84,000 Rohingya refugee and host community members in Bangladesh; and 330,000 refugees in Chad will be provided with vital aid. Contributions provided through our fund are not limited to Zakat, but also include Sadaqah donations,” he said.
UNHCR also launched the findings of its 2020 Islamic Philanthropy Report, highlighting the impact of the Refugee Zakat Fund on vulnerable refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe. According to the report in 2019, the Refugee Zakat Fund received $43mn, including the largest ever single contribution made by Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund of over $35mn.
The Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund was established in 2019 by Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah al-Thani, for the provision of aid to most vulnerable populations around the world.
“Displaced communities are, without doubt, among the most vulnerable populations that require close and strategic attention from philanthropists wanting to make a serious impact on the state of the globe,” said Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah bin Thani al-Thani, founder of the Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund in a statement.
“The Muslim world has a historic opportunity to further demonstrate the significant role of Islamic social finance, and particularly Zakat, in humanitarian assistance, through extending a helping hand to the world’s displaced populations, while realising key Sustainable Development Goals,” he added.
“Today, and in view of the current global health situation, more refugees will require our humanitarian assistance, and Zakat and Islamic philanthropy can have a significant impact in responding to these needs. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund, and all individuals, foundations, financial institutions and faith-based organizations who have enabled us to reach over one million persons in need and have entrusted UNHCR with their Zakat” said Khaled Khalifa, senior adviser and representative of the Gulf Co-operation Council countries.
The Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund’s Zakat contribution has helped support 164,696 vulnerable families. The donation has provided much-needed cash assistance to fulfill immediate needs, as well as, the provision of food. This Zakat contribution provided basic necessary assistance to more than 875,000 people, including 41,501 refugee and internally displaced families in Yemen, in addition to 106,313 Rohingya families and 16,882 host community families in Bangladesh.
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