New York:The State of Qatar has emphasized its dedication to utilizing its resources and expertise to aid countries and communities impacted by disasters and crises. Through initiatives such as the Qatar Fund for Development and various national humanitarian institutions, Qatar has established air bridges, which include the International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), medical personnel, and field hospitals. Additionally, Qatar provides essential supplies like medicines, food baskets, shelter materials, and advanced equipment to assist those in disaster-stricken areas.
According to Qatar News Agency, this commitment was reiterated in a declaration by Abdulaziz Fadala Al Sulaiti, Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, during a meeting of the Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly. The meeting, held at the UN headquarters in New York, focused on the agenda item concerning the United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters.
Al Sulaiti highlighted Qatar's focus on protecting individuals during disasters, a concern heightened by the increasing frequency and severity of such events globally. He stressed the need for international cooperation to manage the impact of natural disasters, which can exceed the capacity of any single nation to handle alone.
Qatar has developed a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for managing emergencies and disasters, involving national entities like the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management and the Civil Defense Council, among others. Al Sulaiti also expressed Qatar's support for an international convention on protecting individuals in disaster situations, aiming to provide a unified framework for disaster risk reduction and relief assistance under international law.
The proposed agreement should balance the right to receive humanitarian aid with respecting state sovereignty, ensuring aid is not imposed without a formal request. Qatar looks forward to the United Nations Conference on Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters in Bangkok, aiming to develop a legally binding instrument to strengthen protection and facilitate humanitarian aid delivery.
Qatar remains committed to contributing to international efforts in enhancing individual protection during disasters and hopes to establish an effective legal framework that respects state sovereignty and international law principles while upholding human dignity and rights.