The United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) signed five co-operation agreements Sunday with entities in Qatar.Signed at the first high-level strategic dialogue between Qatar and the OCHA, the agreements were between the UN agency and Qatar Charity (QC), Qatar Airways, Education Above All Foundation (EAA), and Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD).Aimed at enhancing the participation and relationship between Qatar and the OCHA, the agreements will further strengthen the humanitarian responses in the conflict and disaster hit areas across the world.The dialogue discussed ways to enhance co-operation to co-ordinate humanitarian affairs in several areas, including finding sustainable ways to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need with a focus on the humanitarian conditions and needs of the Gaza Strip, Sudan, and Afghanistan.The opening speech was delivered by HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Lolwah bint Rashid AlKhater in the presence of MoFA, UN officials and representatives from various entities.While addressing the dialogue, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief co-ordinator, Martin Griffiths, hailed Qatar’s efforts and role in the humanitarian initiatives.“Conflict and climate are the main drivers of humanitarian needs in the world, which are increasing significantly as the gap between need and resources grows,” he said. “Qatar is the leader and pioneer in reducing this gap and providing solutions.”Referring to the crisis in Sudan, he noted that 1mn people are facing the risk of famine.Griffiths warned of an imminent famine in Gaza and described what is happening there as a violation of international humanitarian law.“600,000 people were displaced from Rafah in the past few days and they are living in great danger,” he said.The director of the MoFA’s Department of International Organisations, HE Sheikha Hanouf bint Abdulrahman al-Thani, said that the dialogue assumes significance as it’s the first strategic dialogue between Qatar and the OCHA.“It symbolises the collective commitment to co-operation and partnership to address the pressing global challenges facing today's world,” she said, noting that it represents the beginning of a series of enriching discussions and co-operation which would greatly impact the partnership between the two parties.