Doha, January 30 (QNA) - Since the crisis erupted in Syria in Mar. 2011, the government and people of State of Qatar have been keen to support the Syrian people, guided by their humanitarian, moral, and fraternal commitments.

The State of Qatar offered relief aid to refugees and internally displaced people. Since then, the total amount of Qatari aid for the Syrian people has surpassed USD 2 billion, given through direct government support or through civil society organizations and humanitarian, charitable organizations.

At the 3rd International Pledging Conference for Syria in Kuwait in 2015, the State of Qatar launched an initiative to establish a fund for vocational education and training for Syrians, and pledged during the conference an amount of USD 100 million, of which USD 20 million was allocated to finance this fund.

In support for the Syrian people in their plight, Doha hosted the10th meeting of the major donors group for Syria on Jun.14, 2024, amid the inability of the international community to address the root causes of the crisis at that time, where the humanitarian efforts of the State of Qatar, which was harnessed in favor of supporting the Syrian people, were completed.

The State of Qatar mobilized all state institutions and ministries in a campaign described as the largest donation campaign to support the Syrian people in Darb Al Saai area in Doha, where approximately USD 330 million were mobilized as part of a campaign in support of Aleppo, after which the State of Qatar received a letter of thanks and appreciation in writing from the United Nations, and Doha hosted in early April 2017 a regional meeting that included the United Nations and 25 Qatari and regional non-governmental organizations from the region, resulting in pledges of USD 262 million in support of the humanitarian response for Syria.

In this context, the State of Qatar has been a trail blazer in launching many initiatives that have provided solutions and hope to Syrians during their crisis, including initiatives in the fields of education and vocational training, in partnership with regional and international humanitarian organizations, including an initiative to educate and train Syrian refugees for the benefit of 400.000 children over 5 years, as well as the Educate A Child initiative, the number of beneficiaries of which reached nearly 985.000 Syrian children, in addition to the efforts of the Qatari government to reunite thousands of Syrians with their families residing in Qatar.

Upon the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the first aircraft of the Qatari Armed Forces arrived in the Turkish city of Gaziantep on December 10 carrying food, medical, and shelter supplies provided by the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) within an air lift operated by the State of Qatar to aid the Syrian brethren and address the humanitarian situation. 

The State of Qatar has consistently provided the required aid to Syrian refugees and displaced people wherever they may be in the context of resolving pressing humanitarian issues. As part of the State of Qatar's airlift, which is part of its position in support of Syria and its ongoing support of the Syrian people, a plane from the Qatari Armed Forces landed at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport on December 23 with humanitarian aid, including food and shelter supplies, provided by the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD).

The first aircraft to land at Damascus International Airport within the Qatari air bridge, a plane from the Qatari Armed Forces arrived on December 30 with humanitarian aid, including ambulances, food, and medications provided by the QFFD, along with technical assistance to help re-operate the airport and ensure the flow of aid to Syria. This shows the State of Qatar's full support and great interest in helping the brothers in Syria.

All these various assistance comes within the framework of the airlift operated by the State of Qatar to help its brothers in Syria to settle at the most important stage in the history of their country.

HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad has confirmed the continued support of the State of Qatar to Syria in all fields, especially humanitarian and development to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people to live in dignity and build a state of institutions and law, stressing that this step will accelerate the arrival of assistance to the beneficiary sectors.

Reaffirming the State of Qatar's continuous support for the Syrian people, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, reiterated enhancing Qatari humanitarian aid. This came in January During His Excellency's meeting with Syria's Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani and Minister of Defense Murhaf Abu Qasra.

The State of Qatar has always renewed its commitment to its firm principles regarding Arab and humanitarian issues; a principle that guided its support for the brotherly Syrian people, stemming from a comprehensive vision aimed at achieving stability and development and building a state of institutions and law, in response to the aspirations of the Syrian people to a decent life. The Qatari support for Syria is not only a political position, but is rather a part of a broad humanitarian commitment. (QNA)