Doha: The International Day of Charity, observed annually on September 5, underscores the growing importance of humanitarian work as global needs expand due to conflicts, natural disasters, climate change, poverty, and inequality. Charitable contributions are increasingly recognized as critical for fostering social bonds and supporting sustainable development.
According to Qatar News Agency, the United Nations emphasizes the role of philanthropy, volunteering, and charitable acts in mitigating humanitarian crises and supporting public services across various sectors such as healthcare, education, housing, and child protection. The UN notes that modern philanthropy aims to address the root causes of poverty and inequality while fostering innovation and supporting local communities.
Data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicates that by the end of May 2026, over 252 million people required urgent humanitarian assistance, with humanitarian partners planning to assist approximately 143.2 million people by mid-2026. Qatar's commitment to humanitarian and charitable work is exemplified by national institutions like the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Qatar Charity (QC), and the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) working in tandem with UN agencies and international organizations.
Deputy CEO for Programs and Communication at QC, Nawaf Al Hammadi, highlighted Qatar's evolution in charitable work, transitioning from immediate aid to sustainable development. In 2025, QC implemented over 14,000 development projects, benefiting more than 11 million people across education, health, and other sectors. QC also carried out 391 humanitarian interventions, focusing on crisis regions like Gaza, Sudan, and Syria.
Al Hammadi revealed QC's strategic shift for 2026-2030, focusing on maximizing impact and sustainability by addressing root causes of vulnerability and enhancing the self-reliance of communities. QC's local strategy aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, strengthening social cohesion and supporting vulnerable groups.
Assistant Secretary-General for Relief and International Development Sector at QRCS, Mohammed Bader Al Sada, noted QRCS's allocation of significant resources for humanitarian response, focusing on essential sectors like health and food. QRCS has continued to strengthen its emergency response capacity, benefiting over 1.2 million people in 2025 and approximately 400,000 in 2026.
Al Sada emphasized QRCS's integrated approach linking urgent response with development and capacity building, benefiting over 94 million people in 63 countries over the past decade. QRCS's diverse project portfolio covers health services, food security, shelter, and more, highlighting the transition from emergency response to sustainable development.
The commitment of Qatar's humanitarian organizations, exemplified by QC and QRCS, to sustainable impact and strategic partnerships underscores their role in addressing global humanitarian challenges, ultimately aiming for sustainable development and community empowerment.