As global humanitarian needs continue to rise due to conflict, climate change, and economic instability, Qatar is strengthening its international aid efforts through a major new funding initiative. The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has announced 16 strategic agreements worth $527.38 million, aimed at improving the lives of more than 17 million people worldwide.

The agreements, signed at a ceremony in Doha on Tuesday, mark a milestone in Qatar’s contribution to global development. The event was attended by top Qatari officials and international dignitaries, including H.E. Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the QFFD Board of Directors; H.E. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation; and H.E. Dr. Theresa Tenneh Dick, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.

The agreements involve a mix of local and international partners. Domestically, QFFD signed deals with Qatar Foundation (in partnership with the American University of Afghanistan), Qatar Charity, Education Above All Foundation, and Qatar Red Crescent. Internationally, it partnered with the governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone.

Projects include emergency relief for flood victims in Niger, support for hospitals in Syria and Afghanistan, and aid for Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. A major education initiative with Education Above All will reach over 15 million beneficiaries, including Afghan scholarship students.

QFFD also committed to expanding infrastructure and services, rehabilitating water networks in Bosnia, supporting Rwanda’s “Zero-Out-of-School Children” program, and strengthening food security efforts in Sierra Leone.

This round of funding reflects QFFD’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Qatar National Vision 2030. By collaborating with regional and international partners, Qatar is reinforcing its position as a leading contributor to humanitarian and development efforts.

These initiatives highlight Qatar’s expanding role in tackling global challenges and fostering long-term resilience in vulnerable communities around the world.