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Qatar Charity has implemented an economic empowerment project in Bangladesh to support vulnerable families by providing income-generating assets and helping them build more stable, self-reliant lives. The project benefited 380 families, or around 1,900 people. Beneficiaries received 140 motorised rickshaws, 140 cargo tricycles and 100 grinding machine tools designed to provide daily livelihoods and practical opportunities to break the cycle of poverty and need. The distribution ceremony took place in Durgapur, Rajshahi, in the presence of the director of Qatar Charity’s office in Bangladesh, along with officials, local representatives and civil society members. Professor Nazrul Islam Mondol, Member of Parliament, lauded Qatar Charity’s efforts to launch sustainable development initiatives that respond directly to people’s needs, noting that livelihood support is one of the most effective ways to combat poverty and unemployment. He said: “Providing families with income-generating assets, rather than limiting support to temporary assistance, reinforces a sustainable approach to fighting poverty and enables vulnerable families to earn a dignified livelihood and build a better future. I extend my appreciation to Qatar Charity and the generous people of Qatar for standing by vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.” Zakaria al-Mutairi, director of Qatar Charity’s office in Bangladesh, said the project reflects Qatar Charity’s vision of empowering vulnerable groups by helping them move from receiving assistance to owning productive tools and building stable sources of income. He added: “We do not merely provide aid; we work to create sustainable income opportunities that enable vulnerable families to stand on their own feet. Through these livelihood assets, beneficiaries can earn a regular income, support their families, and regain confidence and dignity. We will continue implementing quality programs that make a tangible impact on people’s lives and strengthen community resilience across Bangladesh.” The project aims to reduce poverty by equipping disadvantaged families with productive assets that enable them to start small businesses, expand existing activities, increase their income and achieve greater long-term economic stability. Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to Qatar Charity and the people of Qatar, saying the initiative was not only a form of assistance but also a new beginning toward dignified work, steady income and a safer life for their families.

Qatar Charity (QC) has opened four specialised cotton thread production workshops in Mali, benefiting women from four co-operatives.The initiative forms part of Qatar Charity’s efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment and support sustainable livelihoods through productive projects that harness local resources and provide beneficiary families with stable sources of income.The project involved equipping the workshops with the machinery and tools required to process cotton fibres and produce thread.It provided beneficiaries with training in operation, production, and workplace management, helping strengthen their professional skills, enhance the sustainability of economic activity, and generate steady returns for the participating co-operatives.**media[472999]**The project is expected to create job opportunities and sustainable income for women, increase the value added to locally produced cotton, support textile and handicraft industries, and improve the income levels of beneficiary families.It is also expected to stimulate local economic activity and strengthen women’s role in economic and social development.The initiative comes amid economic challenges facing many families, particularly in rural areas, where income-generating projects are among the most effective ways to reduce poverty and unemployment while enhancing the economic stability of local communities.Cotton is one of Mali's most important strategic crops and a vital source of income for thousands of families.The initiative seeks to maximise the value of this national resource by transforming raw cotton fibres into thread for use in the textile and handicraft industries, strengthening local value chains while creating broader economic opportunities for beneficiaries.**media[473002]**Beneficiaries expressed their appreciation for the project, noting that it will enable them to acquire new skills and open broader opportunities to participate in income-generating economic activities.Some said the project allows locally grown cotton to be used more effectively by processing it within the community instead of selling it as raw material, contributing to improved household income and helping families meet their basic needs.Beneficiaries also emphasised that the project has fostered co-operation and teamwork within women’s co-operatives, while boosting their self-confidence and reinforcing their ability to contribute effectively to the development of their communities.The project reflects the QC’s commitment to sustainable economic empowerment by helping vulnerable groups move from reliance on aid toward productivity and self-sufficiency, through the tools and skills needed to build a more stable and prosperous future. 

Lagos warns rising seas pose significant climate threat to coastal areasEnvironmentalists blame government projects for worsening coastal erosion in LagosCommonwealth's 'Living Lands Charter' criticised for lacking enforcement mechanisms One morning in June, an ocean surge swept through the village of Apakin, one of Lagos' last indigenous coastal communities, washing away fishing boats, nets and graves. It was only the latest event in the settlement of roughly 3,000 people that is losing homes and livelihoods to rising seas.Despite pledges of support from Commonwealth leaders, worsening ocean surges have left the centuries-old community feeling powerless, with residents fearing their ancestral land could soon be lost to the sea, according to local chief Abimbola Iyowun."We only have two graves left from my father's lineage."We've been trying to move them, but we haven't found the place to move them to," Iyowun said, pointing into the ocean where his house and that of his father once stood.About 80% of the Lagos shoreline has been washed away in the past five decades, according to a 2022 report in the Journal of African Earth Sciences. The study blamed deepwater ports along the Bight of Benin as the main reason for erosion.Lagos has more than a dozen coastal communities battling ocean surges, but Apakin's residents say they're among the worst hit. On land once known for coconut farming, a final 50-metre stretch of trees vanished four years ago.Iyowun said the building he used as a palace when he was appointed the village head three years ago had also gone.Lagos State says rising seas pose the biggest long-term climate threat, but environmentalist Philip Jakpor argues that government-backed projects like the massive Dangote oil refinery and deep sea ports are equally damaging to coastal communities."A lot of dredging is happening, which is pushing water in the direction of communities, swallowing communities," said Jakpor.Meanwhile Nigerian activist Akinbode Oluwafemi pointed out that the 'Living Lands Charter' adopted by leaders at the 2022 Commonwealth summit in Kigali, Rwanda, was non-binding, unenforced and failing to deliver a concrete plan to protect coastal communities."The Kigali Declaration acknowledges human factors that will worsen climate change. However, it did not expressly adopt any clear resolution in terms of bringing corporations that are causing climate change into accountability," he said.