The UK's Minister for Development Andrew Mitchell has travelled to Qatar to launch a $50 million co-funding initiative to help tackle the most pressing humanitarian and development crises around the world, including in Gaza.
Mr Mitchell announced the joint funding alongside HE Lolwah Al Khater. Under the initiative, the UK and Qatar aim to build on existing co-funding programmes in the Middle East and Africa by increasing bilateral projects and work through multi-lateral partners globally.
The two countries are already working closely together to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. Earlier this month, through Qatar Fund For Development, a joint consignment of 29 tonnes of tents was delivered to Gaza, and the initiative announced today aims to deliver significantly more aid to civilians.
Mr Mitchell was also able to secure a date for the inaugural UK-Qatar Development Dialogue which the UK will host in May. The FCDO said he discussed this with Qatar’s Minister for International Co-operation HE Lolwah Al Khater and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Al Khulaifi.
Speaking in Doha, UK Development Minister, Andrew Mitchell, said:
"I’m delighted to be back in Doha to reinforce the UK’s commitment to our development partnership with Qatar. Together, we have supported countries in need right across the world, including recently providing 29 tonnes of lifesaving aid to support the humanitarian response in Gaza.
Today we have agreed to commit an initial $50 million in joint funding to continue to support the world’s poorest people, and together we intend to go further and faster to alleviate the most pressing global development challenges."