tag

Oodles Wok, the globally recognised Asian Fusion fast-casual sensation, officially opened its doors in Qatar, marking its expansion into the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) market.The brand's inaugural location at the City Center Doha Mall’s West Food Court on the third floor welcomed guests on December 7.With over 50 restaurants spanning the UK, Canada, and the UAE, this Doha launch represents a pivotal next chapter.The new location brings Oodles Wok’s signature customisable noodle and rice boxes, handcrafted sauces, and wok-led Asian street-style flavours – encapsulated by the mantra "Fresh, Fired, Flavourful" – to Qatar’s dynamic culinary landscape.Oodles Wok’s arrival in Qatar was highlighted by its recent participation in the Qatar International Food Festival, which underscored the market's enthusiasm for the concept.“Expanding into Qatar marks a proud milestone for Oodles Wok as we enter our fourth international market,” said Oodles Wok chief executive Mohammed Shoyab Umar. “From our beginnings in the UK to successful growth in the UAE and Canada, Qatar represents the next chapter in our mission to bring fresh, made-to-order Asian fusion to a global audience.”“We are excited to serve the vibrant Qatari community and look forward to becoming part of its dynamic food culture,” he said.“Our launch in Qatar is a reflection of our team’s relentless hard work and our commitment to operational excellence across every market we enter,” said chief operating officer Ismail Umar. “We’ve built a model that travels well, maintains quality, and respects local tastes – and Qatar is the perfect environment for our next phase of international expansion.”**media[396396]**“We’re thrilled to partner with such strong local operators and bring the Oodles Wok experience to Doha,” he said."Entering Qatar reinforces our global growth strategy and strengthens Oodles Wok’s presence across key international hubs,” said head of Growth (Global) Fahim Khan. “With thriving tourism, a diverse population, and a rapidly growing F&B scene, Qatar offers the ideal landscape for our brand.”The grand opening on December 7 featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by Oodles Wok leadership, media, influencers, and industry guests.Sajed Jassim M Sulaiman, vice-chairman and managing director of Oryx Group for Food Services and Oodles Wok Qatar, stated: "Qatar’s food scene is defined by its diversity and forward momentum. We saw an immediate fit with Oodles Wok, a brand that blends authenticity, efficiency, and freshness. This launch firmly establishes our group’s long-term vision to lead the region’s fast-casual dining evolution."CV Rappai, Group chief executive and director of Oryx Group for Food Services and Oodles Wok Qatar, said: “The brand’s strong international identity and dedication to quality align perfectly with Qatar’s evolving dining culture. Our focus is on maintaining a consistent, world-class experience from day one."Vyanktesh Jaiswal, chief operating officer of Oryx Group for Food Services and Oodles Wok Qatar, said: “Oodles Wok’s success is built on relentless operational efficiency. Our commitment in Qatar goes beyond a single opening; we are focused on scaling this quality, ensuring consistency across every future location.” 

In a bid to stave off famine and save lives, Qatar Charity (QC) has launched an emergency food security project in Yemen, backed by donors from Qatar.The initiative aims to rescue thousands of vulnerable families amid what is described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.The project kicked off in Taiz Governorate, targeting 1,780 families, and will soon expand to Al Hudaydah Governorate with a similar number, bringing the total beneficiaries to 3,560 families — around 25,000 people.Under the project, each family will receive three food baskets sufficient for four and a half months, containing essential staples such as wheat, rice, sugar, oil, and legumes. The distribution is being carried out in co-ordination with the Food Security Cluster and local authorities to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and fragile communities.This intervention comes at a critical juncture as many international organisations have withdrawn, and relief programmes have ground to a halt, heightening famine risks across several Yemeni governorates, a QC statement said Wednesday. Yemen has endured over a decade of conflict that shattered infrastructure, wiped out livelihoods, and was compounded by climate disasters devastating agriculture—pushing millions to the brink of famine.In a joint statement issued last October, more than 30 international and local organisations warned that Yemen faces the world’s third-largest food crisis, with half the population struggling with hunger and half of all children under five suffering from chronic malnutrition. The statement projected that by early next year, over 18mn people will experience acute food insecurity, including 41,000 at risk of famine.Beneficiaries expressed profound relief. Hammoud Saeed Masad, a displaced father from Taiz, said: "I fled with my family because of the war. Despite my age and illness, I work for a meagre wage to feed my children. Sometimes we sleep without dinner. This aid is life-saving. Thank you to the generous people of Qatar." Samia Ahmed, shared: "I often go to bed without food. This basket brought me immense joy, and I will pray with all my heart for the generous donors." 

The Al-Attiyah Foundation’s latest sustainability research paper warns that the race to protect food production in fragile environments in the Mena region is accelerating and the window for meaningful action is narrowing.The report, “Sustainable Agriculture in Arid Countries”, paints a sobering picture.Mena holds just 1% of the world’s freshwater yet supports 6% of the global population.For many farmers, this scarcity is no longer an abstract statistic. It is the reason crops yield less, reservoirs dry earlier each year, and groundwater wells sink deeper into deficit. Climate driven droughts have already reduced harvests by 10-30%, threatening both food security and household incomes across the region.Across the Middle East and North Africa, farmers, families and entire communities now stand at a defining crossroads.In the world’s driest region, where every drop of water carries the weight of a livelihood, rising temperatures, deepening droughts and shrinking freshwater reserves are reshaping daily life.“Amid these challenges, there are signs of hope”, Al-Attiyah Foundation noted.Countries such as Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing heavily in technologies that give farmers a fighting chance.Precision irrigation, solar powered desalination, climate-smart greenhouses and digital farming tools are helping communities make the most of the water they have.Qatar’s ‘HAIAT’ precision agriculture project, for example, uses satellite data and artificial intelligence to guide farmers on exactly when and how much to irrigate. These innovations show what is possible when science and sustainability work hand in hand.However, many farmers in the region remain in the margins.High upfront costs keep modern irrigation and protected farming systems out of reach for smallholders, the very people who grow a significant share of the region’s food. Despite carrying the greatest climate burden, they receive less than one percent of global climate finance.The report calls for new financial lifelines such as blended finance, concessional loans and climate insurance that can help farmers stay afloat when droughts strike. A recent $7.9mn drought insurance payout in Syria, which supported one hundred and twenty thousand people, shows how powerful these tools can be when designed well.Al-Attiyah Foundation concluded that the region was entering a race for resilience. The countries that will thrive are those that scale water efficient technologies, strengthen governance and unlock climate finance not only for major producers but for the countless small farmers whose resilience keeps food on tables across the region.

Britain's King Charles met charity leaders and supermarket bosses Wednesday to celebrate a project to cut food waste and feed those in need which has distributed the equivalent of 11mn meals over the last two years.Charles set up his Coronation Food Project in 2023, the year he was crowned king, with the aim of bringing together food producers and retailers with local community groups who provide meals for those who are hungry.At the event in central London, Charles was shown meals made from surplus food, and met chefs from The Felix Project, a charity which takes fruit and vegetables which can no longer be sold and delivers them to food banks, schools and childcare groups.

The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global education and development organisation, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), successfully concluded a high-level panel discussion titled “Empowering Youth: Bridging Skills, Employment, and Sustainable Pathways” at the Qatar Pavilion during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP30). The session brought together international experts, private-sector leaders, and youth voices to explore how integrated skills development, apprenticeships, digital learning, and cross-sector partnerships can unlock meaningful employment opportunities, especially for marginalised young people, in the context of climate change.The panelists underscored that the twin challenges of youth unemployment and climate vulnerability demand holistic and collaborative solutions. The session opened with remarks from Mr Mahmoud Abdulaziz Al Marwani, Assistant Director of the Climate Change Department in Qatar's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, set the tone for a discussion focused on resilience, opportunity, and youth empowerment and Mr. Fahad Malik, Head of Engagement at the EAA Foundation’s Silatech Programme, highlighted the strategic importance of integrating youth economic empowerment into climate-resilient development.Contributions followed from Mr. Richard Choularton, Director of the Climate and Resilience Service at the World Food Programme (WFP); Ms. Olga Petryniak, Senior Director for Africa Resilience Programs at Mercy Corps; Ms. Mariana M. Rocha, Chief of Field Office at UNICEF Belém; and Mr. Kevin Chalhoub, CEO of EV Lab and Head of Brand at Chalhoub Group; Together, the speakers emphasised that bridging policy with practice requires aligning education systems, labour markets, and climate adaptation strategies to create real, sustainable opportunities for marginalised youth.Participants also showcased practical models that connect vulnerable youth to economic opportunities in climate-affected environments, illustrating how climate-smart livelihoods, private-sector innovation, and community-based interventions can accelerate inclusive growth. Personal reflections from Ms. Solange Sampaio dos Santos, a 1MiO Programme beneficiary further demonstrated the transformative impact of skills development and tailored employment pathways in enabling young people to transition successfully into the workforce.Across both thematic rounds, From Policy to Pathways and Future-Ready Youth, experts called for strengthened collaboration among governments, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to scale proven models and ensure that young people, particularly those in fragile and rural settings, are not left behind. Panelists highlighted that equipping youth with market-relevant skills is essential not only for economic empowerment but also for advancing climate resilience and delivering on national and global commitments to sustainable development.Mr. Mana Al-Ansari, Chief Economic Empowerment Officer at the Education Above All Foundation, said: “Today’s discussion reaffirmed that young people are central to building more resilient, prosperous, and climate-smart societies. When we invest in their skills, creativity, and opportunities, we unlock the potential of entire communities. Guided by EAA’s mission to transform learning into real economic opportunity, from learning to earning, we remain committed, together with our partners, to ensuring that all young people, especially the most marginalised, are equipped to thrive in the green and digital economies of the future.EAA Foundation’s participation at COP30 contributes to global efforts to position youth economic empowerment at the heart of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. By sharing best practices, amplifying youth voices, and fostering new partnerships, the Foundation continues to champion inclusive, sustainable pathways that enable young people to shape their own futures and contribute meaningfully to climate-resilient development.For more information about EAA Foundation, visit www.educationaboveall.orgFor media inquiries, please contact:Mohamed Al-AmriSenior Media Relations [email protected]+974-5000-9960Patience RusareSenior Media [email protected]+974-5993-1560

Standing in a pool of rainwater that has engulfed her tent and destroyed its contents, the Palestinian Kifah al-Najjar desperately tries to salvage what remains — blankets, mattresses, and food supplies. But the fragile shelter, built from plastic sheets, nylon, and wooden poles atop the ruins of her home in Gaza’s Al Zaytoun neighbourhood, has collapsed under the weight of the storm. With six children and no protection, al-Najjar — whose husband was killed at the start of the war — watches helplessly as her belongings are soaked and scattered. She told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that she had feared this moment long before winter arrived. The tent could not shield them from the summer heat, and now it is drowning them in the cold. The first major weather system to hit Gaza this season brought heavy rain, strong winds, and plunging temperatures, flooding hundreds of tents and worsening the plight of thousands of displaced families. Entire neighbourhoods — Al Zaytoun, Al Daraj, Al Shati Camp, Deir Al Balah, Al Bureij, and Khan Younis’s Al Mawasi — saw shelters submerged, leaving families exposed and desperate. Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said teams are overwhelmed, receiving constant distress calls from camps and shelters but lacking the equipment to respond. Their vehicles and tools were destroyed in the war, leaving them unable to reach those in need. **media[382041]** Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, already dire after the destruction of 92% of its residential buildings, is now compounded by the weather. Thousands of families are living in tents or unstable homes at risk of collapse. Director General of Gaza’s Government Media Office, Dr Ismail al-Thawabta, stated that the Strip urgently needs at least 250,000 tents and 100,000 caravans to provide temporary shelter. After two years of war and suffering, he said, they had hoped a ceasefire would bring relief. However, the occupation’s refusal to allow aid, food, medicine, and shelter materials has kept Gaza trapped in tragedy. As heavy rain lashes Gaza, the suffering of displaced families and residents living among the ruins of destroyed homes deepens, according to municipal spokesperson Hosni Mehanna. He stressed that over 93% of the tents sheltering displaced people are now severely worn after enduring successive seasons of heat and cold. Rainwater has pooled between camps and flooded streets, with no functioning drainage systems to redirect it. Mehanna told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that Gaza’s rainwater networks were systematically destroyed during two years of Israeli aggression, causing sewage to overflow and mix with stormwater sweeping through shelters, wreckage, and displacement camps. Despite having plans to mitigate the impact of winter storms, Gaza Municipality lacks the equipment to implement them due to the deliberate dismantling of its infrastructure, he affirmed. The crisis extends beyond shelter. Makeshift field hospitals and medical tents — set up to replace bombed-out facilities — have collapsed under the storm, halting services. Director of Medical Relief in Gaza, Dr Bassam Zaqout, confirmed that many health and social service points are tents without foundations, now rendered inoperable by the weather. Warning that the storm will have catastrophic consequences for Gaza’s displaced population, UNRWA said in a statement that families are seeking refuge wherever possible, including in temporary tents, and called for urgent permission to deliver shelter supplies already in its possession. Despite the formal end of Israeli aggression, which destroyed 92% of Gaza’s residential buildings, the blockade on essential shelter materials — such as tents and caravans — remains. This has forced families to live in unsafe, collapsing structures or deteriorated tents, risking their lives with every rainfall.

The United Nations said Tuesday it had distributed food parcels to one million people in Gaza since the ceasefire, but warned it was still in a race to save lives.The UN's World Food Programme stressed all crossing points into the Gaza Strip should be opened to flood the famine-hit Palestinian territory with aid, adding that no reason was given why the northern crossings with Israel remained closed."Three and a half weeks into the ceasefire in Gaza, we have distributed food parcels to around one million people across the Gaza Strip," said the WFP's Middle East spokeswoman Abeer Etefa."That's part of the broad operation to push back hunger in Gaza," she told reporters in Geneva, speaking from Cairo.WFP aims to reach 1.6 million people in the territory with parcels, which provide enough food for a family for 10 days.However, to get operations running at the level required, "we really need more access, more border crossings to be opened and more access to key roads inside Gaza," said Etefa.The US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on October 10.Etefa described how the WFP was scaling up operations in Gaza and opened 44 of the 145 food distribution points it hopes to run.An estimated 700,000 people are now receiving fresh bread daily, supplied through 17 WFP-supported bakeries: nine in south and central Gaza, and eight in the north.The agency is hoping to get 25 up and running.Etefa said while food consumption levels had increased slightly thanks to the humanitarian aid and commercial trucks now allowed to enter, they remained well below pre-conflict levels.Furthermore, at this stage, households are still eating mostly cereals and pulses, with meat, eggs, vegetables and fruit being consumed "extremely rarely".Nour Hammad, WFP's spokeswoman in Gaza, said commercial food prices were still beyond the reach of most families, saying an apple now costs as much as a kilogramme of apples did before the war broke out in October 2023.The WFP said it had only been able to bring in roughly half of what was required to meet the food needs of people in Gaza."The needs are overwhelming," said Etefa, adding: "We are in a race to save lives."She said WFP trucks were still only coming through the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings, severely limiting the amount of aid that can enter Gaza, and posing a major obstacle to getting aid to the north."We actually haven't been given clear answers on why the northern crossing points are still closed," she said.

El-Fasher taken by paramilitary force late last monthFood supplies had been cut off during long siegeUN-backed monitor first confirmed famine in Darfur last yearA global hunger monitor on Monday confirmed famine conditions in El-Fasher, the Sudanese city taken by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after a lengthy siege, as well as Kadugli, another besieged city in Sudan's south. The finding is the first time the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has determined that the cities are in famine, though in December it had confirmed famine in camps for displaced people in El-Fasher, capital of North Darfur.A war that began two-and-a-half years ago between the RSF and the Sudanese army has caused severe hunger and malnutrition to spread across Sudan, as well as displacing millions of people and triggering waves of ethnically charged violence in Darfur. The IPC is the internationally recognised standard for measuring the severity of hunger crises, and its findings have provoked criticism from Sudan's government, which is backed by the army.The IPC's first determination of famine during the conflict was for the Zamzam displacement camp south of El-Fasher in August 2024. El-Fasher was subject to RSF assaults and besieged for about 18 months before it fell late last month, deepening a geographical split in Sudan. During the siege, residents said food supplies were cut off, forcing people to eat animal feed and sometimes animal hides. Places where people gathered for community kitchen meals were targeted by drone attacks, they told Reuters.As a result, all children arriving in the nearby town of Tawila after fleeing El-Fasher were malnourished, MSF project coordinator Sylvain Pennicaud told Reuters on Monday, while adults arrived emaciated. International Criminal Court prosecutors said on Monday they were collecting evidence of alleged mass killings and rapes after El-Fasher's fall. The head of the Red Cross said history was repeating itself in Darfur.Monday's IPC report, based on analysis for September 2025, said Tawila, as well as Mellit and Tawisha, two other destinations for people fleeing El-Fasher, were at risk of famine. The IPC said the overall number of Sudanese facing acute food insecurity declined by 6% to 21.2 million people - or 45% of the total population - due to gradual stabilisation and improved access in central Sudan, where the Sudanese army took control at the start of the year.However, the situation deteriorated in the Darfur and Kordofan regions as fighting concentrated there, depriving people of livelihoods, increasing prices, and driving displacement, IPC said. Global aid cuts and bureaucratic impediments hobbling the ability of the United Nations and other aid agencies to provide food and other services have increased the humanitarian challenge in Sudan.Kadugli, capital of South Kordofan state, has been under siege by the RSF-allied SPLM-N armed group, though hunger has been spreading there since the start of the war.The wider Kordofan region has increasingly become a focus of the war as it lies between RSF-dominated Darfur and the rest of the country, where the army holds sway. The IPC said the nearby city al-Dalanj could also be in famine, but a lack of data prevented a determination. On Monday, a Red Crescent official said three volunteers in a city in North Kordofan state that was taken over by the RSF, who were shown being beaten in a video clip, were later killed.The RSF has denied responsibility for alleged summary executions.

The State of Qatar has dispatched urgent relief and humanitarian aid to the city of Al Dabbah in the Northern State of the Republic of the Sudan, as part of its firm commitment to supporting the Sudanese people, particularly amid the difficult humanitarian conditions faced by civilians, including severe food shortages and an increasing need for shelter and essential supplies.**media[376433]**The aid includes approximately 3,000 food baskets, 1,650 shelter tents, and other essential items, provided by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and Qatar Charity, to support displaced persons from the city of Al-Fashir and nearby areas.The assistance is expected to benefit more than 50,000 people and includes the establishment of a special camp for Qatari aid under the name “Qatar Al-Khair.”This initiative comes as part of Qatar’s ongoing efforts to stand by the people of Sudan and alleviate their suffering caused by the armed conflict.It also reflects Qatar’s leading humanitarian role in strengthening global response efforts and fostering solidarity with affected communities around the world.**media[376432]**

Qatar has officially joined the Global Alliance for Food Safety for the period 2025 to 2027.The alliance brings together leading countries in the field of food safety and the World Health Organization's (WHO) collaborating centres, with the aim of enhancing coordination, knowledge exchange and integration of efforts in implementing the Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030.The network focuses on monitoring food-borne diseases and detecting food contamination.The announcement of Qatar's accession was made during the participation of the Ministry of Public Health in the Alliance's annual meeting, which was recently held in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.The meeting brought together representatives from more than 40 countries and around 90 participants from regional and international organizations collaborating with the World Health Organization, as well as national institutions, research centres and academic bodies.The meeting served as a vital international platform to review achievements, share experiences, and define future priorities and steps, including opportunities for cooperation and resource mobilisation to support national and regional programmes.During the meeting, it was also announced that a group of specialists from the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health would join four working groups covering various areas to support the alliance's programmes and enhance the exchange of expertise among member states.Director of the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health Wasan Abdulla al-Baker stated, "Our participation in the Alliance's annual meeting represents an opportunity to strengthen international co-operation and exchange expertise and best practices in the field of food safety"."It also enables us to contribute effectively to accelerating the implementation of the Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030, enhance Qatar's global role in the field of food safety, broaden its vision within the international community and increase its impact in promoting global food safety standards," she added.Qatar's accession to the alliance reflects the country's commitment to actively contributing to international efforts to enhance food safety through the development of partnerships and capacity building among member states.This will help to strengthen national capabilities, achieve the goals of the Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030 and reduce the health risks posed by food-borne diseases at both national and international levels.

Katara Cultural Village hosted on Tuesday an event on Malaysia’s flavours and food culture. It showcased a cornucopia of traditional dishes, musical performances, and high-profile presentations, reflecting the diverse ingredients and environments that have shaped Malaysian culture throughout history. Addressing the event, Malaysian ambassador Mohammad Faizal Razali, said that the food culture in Malaysia is a mirror of its identity and cultural diversity. The Malaysian cuisine, he said, weaves together flavours and traditions that embody the spirit of unity and coexistence within the community. Razali highlighted that this event commemorates identity and heritage, as well as people-to-people cultural relations. He emphasised that Malaysian food is a component that brings people together and expresses national harmony as a key feature. The envoy called on the attendees to explore the splendor of Malaysia’s landscape and its diverse culture, noting the collaboration with Katara and national institutions, a move that contributes to promoting cultural and humanitarian rapprochement between the two nations, elevating the exchange of creativity, hospitality, and tourism to new heights.

WFP says just two aid crossings are open and none to northIsrael says aid is entering in accordance with ceasefire planGazans store supplies for fear they will halt againThe UN World Food Programme said on Tuesday that supplies into Gaza were ramping up after the US-brokered ceasefire but were still far short of its daily target of 2,000 tons because only two crossings are open, and none to the famine-hit north of the enclave.Around 750 metric tons of food are now entering the Gaza Strip daily, according to the WFP, but this was still well below the scale of needs after two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas that has reduced much of Gaza to ruins."To be able to get to this scale-up, we have to use every border crossing point right now," WFP spokesperson Abeer Etefa told a Geneva press briefing.She said only two of the Israeli-controlled crossings into Gaza were operational - Kerem Shalom in the south and Kissufim in the centre.The ceasefire plan brokered by US President Donald Trump envisages "full aid" being sent into Gaza. An Israeli security official said that humanitarian aid continues to enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing and additional crossings in accordance with the plan, without naming them.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until further notice, with its reopening dependent on Hamas handing over bodies of deceased hostages.The UN children's agency spokesperson Ricardo Pires said on Tuesday the humanitarian response was still far below the required scale and called for all entry points to reopen.Some nutrition supplies for children and pregnant women have reached the north via the south, Etefa said, but far short of the level required. "We haven't had large-scale convoys into Gaza City or to the north of Gaza," she said, adding that WFP had not been granted permission to use the main north-south Salah al-Din road.Food supplies delivered so far are enough to feed around half a million people for two weeks, she said.Many Gazans were storing the food they are receiving because they are afraid that supplies might again dry up."They eat part of it, and they ration and keep some of the supplies for an emergency, because they are not very confident how long the ceasefire will last and what will happen next," she said.