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Qatar Airways and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) following a High-level Strategic Dialogue between the State of Qatar and the United Nations. Qatar Airways is committed to working with OCHA through joint advocacy, fundraising, cargo services, and more, in a unified programme to help support humanitarian endeavours.

The High-level Strategic Dialogue was held in the presence of esteemed dignitaries H.E. Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Sheikha Hanouf bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Director of International Organisations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as other members of the United Nations, including Mr. Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. The discussion between the State of Qatar and OCHA focused on the humanitarian outlook for the next year and included ways to increase engagement and support from Qatar’s private sector.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Qatar Airways Group is proud to work hand-in-hand with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to support the organisation of humanitarian responses, especially during times of crises. Our cargo division is set to provide transportation of aid and emergency materials to our network of over 170 destinations and 70 freighter destinations. Qatar Airways continues to commit to fulfilling its humanitarian role through collaboration and advocacy through the coming years.”

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Martin Griffiths, said: “Ensuring that life-saving assistance can reach people in need, wherever they are, requires cooperation every step of the way,” he continued, “With this partnership, Qatar Airways is showing how the private sector can help power humanitarian action around the world.”

Through this partnership, Qatar Airways Cargo is committed to providing the transportation of up to 10 tonnes of humanitarian cargo. To meet these goals, the award-winning airline utilises the airline’s hub-and-spoke network out of Hamad International Airport, which was once again voted the ‘World’s Best Airport’ at the Skytrax Airport Awards this year.

Additionally, the airline’s cargo division, which is the largest global air cargo operator, has a robust fleet of 28 freighters with access to utilise a passenger fleet of over 200 aircraft to its network.

Qatar Airways recently renewed it partnership with the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to support communities in need by providing an additional 400 tonnes of free tonnage to UNHCR to help support them in the delivery of crucial aid supplies to those most in need.

Qatar Airways has played an instrumental role in contributing to the United Nations’ objectives over the last few years. With the new OCHA partnership, Qatar Airways solidifies its stance as an advocate to humanitarian causes, and continues to demonstrate its deep commitment to supporting the UN.