Qatar participated in the Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War, which took place in Toronto on September 28-29. The country was represented by HE Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation.
During the conference, Dr. al-Misnad reaffirmed Qatar’s support for international efforts seeking a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomatic means. She emphasized that the crisis should be addressed via mediation, underscoring the importance of protecting civilians, especially children, as a shared responsibility of the global community. She stressed that the safety, dignity, and future of affected children must remain central to international initiatives.
Since 2023, Qatar has engaged in humanitarian operations aimed at reuniting children separated from their families due to the conflict. These efforts involved cooperation with both Ukrainian and Russian authorities, as well as coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross. To date, Qatar has facilitated over 14 such missions, contributing to the reunification of 87 Ukrainian children with their families.
In addition to reunification efforts, Doha has hosted several families following successful returns and has provided specialized recovery and rehabilitation programs designed to support the physical and psychological well-being of children impacted by the conflict.
Qatar’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in 2023 included a $100 million allocation covering health, education, and basic services. The country also contributed $20 million to the Ukrainian grain export initiative. Support for child protection and education projects featured a $3.5 million investment to establish and equip safe shelters, schools, and kindergartens.
The Qatari government has offered 50 university scholarships to Ukrainian students and partnered with the Olena Zelenska Foundation to rehabilitate and build vital health and childcare facilities in Ukraine. Furthermore, Qatar allocated $5 million to support Ukrainian refugees and displaced persons.
Dr. al-Misnad highlighted that humanitarian and development aid are key pillars of Qatar’s foreign policy, complementing efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully, promote dialogue, and mitigate human suffering. She noted shared values between Qatar and Canada and praised Canada’s commitment to peace and child protection, emphasizing the collective aim of achieving a just and lasting solution to the crisis for the benefit of all humanity.