Qatar Charity (QC) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have signed a Letter of Understanding (LoU), along with a Data Sharing Addendum, to strengthen their joint humanitarian response for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
The agreement forms part of a broader cooperation framework aimed at enhancing coordination between the two organizations, particularly in the areas of shelter and settlement, as well as the delivery of humanitarian relief items and essential services to the most vulnerable refugee populations.
The LoU was signed by Mr. Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh, and Mr. Zakarya Al Motair, Country Director of Qatar Charity’s Bangladesh office.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Freijsen highlighted the mounting challenges facing the Rohingya refugee response in the year ahead, particularly amid shrinking humanitarian funding.
“Funding challenges in 2026 are expected to be extremely difficult,” he said.
“In this context, strong partnerships with humanitarian organizations such as Qatar Charity are more important than ever. Improved coordination will enable us to better prioritize life-saving assistance and ensure that limited resources reach those most in need.”
Mr. Al Motair reaffirmed Qatar Charity’s long-standing commitment to supporting Rohingya refugees, describing the agreement as a step toward deeper and more effective collaboration.
“Qatar Charity remains fully committed to standing with the Rohingya people,” he said.
“This Letter of Understanding creates new opportunities to work more closely with UNHCR in supporting the most vulnerable refugees, who continue to live under extremely harsh conditions in one of the world’s largest and most congested refugee camps.”
He added that the partnership reflects Qatar Charity’s belief in collective humanitarian action, emphasizing that coordinated efforts are essential to addressing the complex and protracted nature of the Rohingya crisis.
Qatar Charity has been providing humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar since 2017 and expanded its operations to Bhasan Char in 2021. Its multi-sectoral programs focus on improving living conditions and safeguarding refugee dignity through interventions in shelter and settlement, emergency relief, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), school feeding, and healthcare services across both camp and relocation sites.
Through these sustained efforts, Qatar Charity has sought to address immediate life-saving needs while also supporting longer-term well-being and resilience among displaced communities.
In 2025 alone, Qatar Charity’s humanitarian programs in Bangladesh benefited 467,076 Rohingya refugees, contributing to improved safety, health, and protection for one of the world’s most vulnerable refugee populations.
