Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership in the field of humanitarian assistance to foster collaboration that supports the sustainable development in the least development countries.

This MoU will be the starting point for exploring new mechanisms for cooperation in the international development field through working together on new projects that contribute to changing the lives of the beneficiaries for the better, giving hope and promoting peace and justice through sustainable and inclusive development in least developed countries and conflict-hit areas.

Under the MoU, the two sides will implement a number of activities, including joint financing for international development and humanitarian projects, organizing events, exhibitions and seminars, and cooperating on launching global initiatives and conducting joint studies and research.

The signing of the MoU was attended by Director of the American Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Ambassador Essa bin Mohammed Al Mannai and HE US Charge d'Affaires in Doha Ambassador Greta C. Holtz, and HE Qatar's Ambassador to the United States Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Thani via videocall.

Commenting on the occasion, Deputy Director General for Planning at QFFD Ali Abdullah Al Dabbagh expressed pleasure for signing the MoU which represents the beginning of a promising partnership with the USAID, and comes at a difficult time when the world is facing many challenges resulting from climate change, armed conflicts, displacement, and the coronavirus pandemic which left a lot of suffering in various countries around the world.

He noted that emergencies have become more complex which require combined efforts to be able to respond properly to the development and humanitarian challenges that are beyond the capabilities of a single agency alone. Therefore, QFFD always seeks to establish such partnerships that aim at expanding cooperative efforts and responding to pressing global challenges more effectively.

He indicated that QFFD gives priority to investing in capacity-building and strengthening the fields of health, education and economic development during times of emergency and crisis, especially in fragile societies.

For his part, Chief Assistant to the Acting Deputy Administrator at USAID Max Primorac underlined the strong relations between the State of Qatar and the United States, commending the signing of the MoU which reflects the continued cooperation and extensive coordination between the two sides in the humanitarian work.

He added that the MoU promotes the bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially education, infrastructure, strengthening capacities, and alleviating human suffering in the least developed countries.

He noted that the MoU is the fruit of efforts and talks made over two years and allows the implementation of joint projects that establish new partnerships and constructive dialogues between the United States and its allies in the Arab region, stressing that QFFD is one of the important organizations in the Middle East that contributes to many development projects in the region and around the world.