Thanks to the “Qatar FIFA 2022 for All” initiative, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and orphans supported by Qatar Charity (QC) are able to enjoy the World Cup atmosphere.
Amidst a remarkable sporting, cultural and festive atmosphere, the beneficiaries have been watching the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches in their camps in several countries through the “Fan Zones” supervised by the QC in co-operation with its partners.
The refugees and IDPs communities expressed their joy with the “Qatar FIFA 2022 for All: Celebrating Football with Refugees and Displaced people” initiative, terming it as a “brilliant gesture” from the organisers.
Thanks to Qatar and the Fan Zones set up by the QC, it became possible for those in these camps to watch the World Cup matches.
In Somalia’s Shabelle camp, 13,000 IDP families are able to watch the World Cup events.
"I did not expect that I would watch the matches so easily," said Hassan Hussein Abdul, 14.
"This giant screen through which we watch the World Cup matches fulfilled my desire, because I am fond of football,” said 12-year-old Abdel Fattah Ahmed Mukhtar.
Until now, he had been unable to watch the matches due to poverty.
In Bangladesh, the students of the QC’s two orphan care centres near the capital Dhaka, and 7,000 Rohingya refugees in the Bhasan Char Island, watch the World Cap matches at the Fan Zones.
“We have never had such an opportunity before,” said Shawn Ahmed, a seven-grade student at an orphan care centre.
“The joy of watching the game together with thousands of spectators is really different,” said Mohamed Shams, who has been living in the Rohingya camp for five years.
“This is an atmosphere full of enjoyment. Here thousands of people are watching the game together on the big screen,” said Mohamed Fayzullah, a teenager of the refugee camp. “Everyone is celebrating the goal of their favourite team with loud applause.”
In northern Syria, Fouad Obaid sl-Ali, from Al Kaiba camp, said: "There was no place to watch the World Cup matches in the camp.”
“However, thanks to the efforts of Qatar and Qatar Charity, we are now watching the matches on a huge screen,” he added.
