| Issue 4
QFFD in numbers
• 2002 QFFD established
• USD 674 million spent on foreign aid in 2017
• 80 countries have benefited from QFFD ’ s support
• 8 million direct and indirect beneficiaries
An innovative financing mechanism , it aims to raise USD 2.5 billion over a five-year period , offering soft loans that promote human development , healthcare , and agriculture in the world ’ s least developed countries .
QFFD has also developed an initiative with several national NGOs and international partners to provide Syrian children affected by the war with access to education .
Qatar Upholding Education for Syrians ’ Trust ( QUEST ) has implemented 13 projects so far , totalling USD 80 million and helping 400,000 students .
And in Tunisia , Qatar has established the Qatar Friendship Fund to support development . The fund , which partners with leading Tunisian micro-lending financial institutes and local NGOs , is helping create jobs by building businesses .
It is seeing these projects in action that gives HE Mr Al Kuwari his greatest sense of achievement . He says : “ Each time I visit QFFD projects abroad there is an indescribable feeling of accomplishment in seeing that our work has supported students , teachers , parents , fishermen , and civil servants who live thousands of miles away from us .”
There is one project that stands out . He says : “ Out of all QFFD projects , our work in Darfur has inspired me the most , as it is a concrete embodiment of what QFFD stands for .
“ In Darfur , violence has forced people to abandon their homes and livelihoods , undermining the production and supply of food , resulting in acute humanitarian needs . In addition to the protracted conflict , natural hazards such as floods and droughts exacerbated the situation .”
The Reconstruction of Darfur Program is designed to support displaced persons ’ return to their hometowns . It builds trust in a future based on security and stability , preventing the return of violence .
Model Service Centres have been built in five villages in Darfur targeting 150,000 people . They include a water station , health centre , primary and secondary schools , police station and a mosque . Through providing educational opportunities , health services and promoting the rule of law , these projects have had a profound impact on local communities , often influencing people ’ s decision to return to their villages after so much destruction .
Affordable social housing and space for establishing micro-enterprises , will form the second phase of this work , providing sustainable livelihoods for locals .
HE Mr Al Kuwari says : “ I am very proud to see QFFD grow to what it has become today . A few years ago , there were only three of us in the office , and today we have nearly reached 50 employees . We still have a long way to go , but I am certain that we are on the right track .”
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