Qatar has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting countries and communities affected by disasters and crises by utilizing its resources and expertise. Speaking at the United Nations headquarters in New York during the Sixth Committee meeting of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Abdulaziz Fadala al-Sulaiti, Second Secretary at Qatar’s Permanent Mission to the UN, highlighted the country’s efforts in this regard.
Qatar, through the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and various national humanitarian institutions, has established air bridges that deploy specialized teams, including the International Search and Rescue Group from the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), medical personnel, and field hospitals. In addition to personnel, Qatar provides medical supplies, food baskets, shelter materials, and advanced equipment aimed at aiding those impacted by disasters.
Al-Sulaiti underscored the growing global concern over the increased frequency and severity of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. He remarked that such events often produce human and material losses that can be challenging for any single nation to manage independently. This reality, he said, demands strengthened international cooperation to protect lives and uphold human dignity, in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.
To support disaster response and emergency management, Qatar has developed an extensive legal and institutional framework, overseen by specialized bodies. These include the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, the Civil Defence Council, the Doha Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, the Standing Committee for Rescue and Relief Operations and Humanitarian Aids for Areas Afflicted by Catastrophes in Brotherly and Friendly Countries, as well as the Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities.
Qatar also advocates for the establishment of an international convention on the protection of persons in disaster situations. Al-Sulaiti noted that existing international law does not explicitly require states to provide humanitarian aid during disasters, and such a convention would offer a legal foundation for coordinated international response efforts. This proposed framework would facilitate necessary measures while balancing the right of individuals to receive humanitarian assistance with respect for state sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in domestic affairs.
The Qatari delegation’s statements signal the country’s ongoing commitment to enhancing global disaster response capabilities through legal, institutional, and operational means, emphasizing multilateral cooperation to address the complex challenges posed by natural and humanitarian emergencies.