The UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has announced a major individual contribution of more than $35mn from Qatari businessman Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah bin Thani al-Thani, for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and displaced Yemenis.
The donation, the largest the UNHCR has received from an individual, covers a one-year co-operation agreement and two grant agreements, and is worth $35,215,260, according to a press statement.
The agreements were signed in Geneva between UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah bin Thani al-Thani, on behalf of Sheikh Thani, a Qatari lead phi
lanthropist and businessperson, in the presence of Sheikh Khalifa bin Thani bin Abdulla al-Thani and Dr Ayedh Dabsan al-Qahtani.
The funds will be channelled via a UNHCR programme established in 2016 that is fully compliant with the principles of Islamic social financing.
One hundred per cent contributions go directly to those in need.
The donation will be split into two parts: the first aims at providing around 300,000 internally displaced persons, returnees and members of the host community across Yemen with multi-purpose cash assistance and cash for shelter, with an amount of $13,000,260.
The second part aims to support an estimated 450,000 Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, with a focus on health, nutrition and shelter, for a total amount of $22,215,000.
“This is an extraordinary contribution that will bring vital help to hundreds of thousands of people whose lives have been torn apart by conflict and displacement,” said Grandi. “The UNHCR is deeply grateful to Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah for his generous support.”
“It is a privilege and an immense opportunity to support the most vulnerable people. We hope that, through the Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund, to support the displaced through the UNHCR’s programmes,” said Sheikh Khalid.
Dignitaries and officials at the signing of the agreements.
