The signing ceremony took place at the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), which began in Doha yesterday.
The MoU was signed by Khalid Abdullah al-Yafie, representing Yousif bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, Qatar Charity’s CEO, and Rebecca Cronin, CEO of Orbis UK. The ceremony was attended by Khalifa bin Rashid al-Kuwari, QFFD director-general.
QC has built a strong partnership with Orbis since March 2015, by funding a project to combat blindness in Bangladesh. The MoU is a further extension of the existing partnership and co-operation between Qatar Charity and Orbis and it will enhance the ‘Qatar Creating Vision’ initiative led by QFFD, according to a press statement.
By joining this initiative, QC, based on its accumulative knowledge and experience in the humanitarian and development fields in many parts of the world, will contribute to the successful implementation of future projects in accordance with its priorities in the countries where it has established field offices and strong networks with various humanitarian and development partners, international and local organisations, the statement notes.
On this occasion, Yousif bin Ahmed al-Kuwari said: “Qatar Charity is proud to sign this MoU with Orbis International, under the umbrella of the ‘Qatar Creating Vision’ initiative led by the Qatar Fund For Development. The purpose of this MoU is to enhance and strengthen the strategic co-operation between Qatar Charity and Orbis, in which the two parties will seek new opportunities for co-operation to support Orbis’ projects for combating blindness and providing eye care. This co-operation will include joint fundraising campaigns.”
Cronin noted, “We are delighted to sign this MoU with Qatar Charity, our strategic partner. We will be working together to raise more funds towards eye care treatment around the world. So far, Orbis and Qatar Charity have worked together through the project that QC funded in Bangladesh to help many people suffering from blindness and other eye-related problems. The programme expansion led by Qatar Fund For Development will certainly help us reach millions more.”
Khalifa bin Rashid al-Kuwari added, “This MoU reflects the efforts of QFFD on behalf of Qatar to co-ordinate the development initiatives that bring together national and international organisations in various areas, including health, through the provision of quality health services with innovative financing tools.”