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Qatar Charity Treats Blindness-Causing Diseases Through Specialized Surgeries in Nigeria

Qatar Charity (QC), in partnership with the Ministries of Health of Niger and Yobe States in Nigeria and Middle East Clinic Limited, carried out 1,074 eye surgeries that enabled 1,018 vulnerable beneficiaries in northern Nigeria to regain their sight. The initiative is part of Qatar Charity’s ongoing “Ibsar” (Eyesight) Initiative to combat diseases that cause vision loss, and with the support of generous donors, The surgeries were conducted under a specialized campaign aimed at combatting preventable blindness and improving access to eye care services. The campaign also provided 270 white canes to visually impaired individuals whose sight could not be restored through surgery. Consultations and Medication The campaign benefited 4,000 men, women, children, and elderly people who underwent screening for various eye conditions, while 2,912 beneficiaries received free medication, consultations, and specialized medical advice on eye health. Among those who benefited from the surgeries were 20 children under the age of 18, including two children below the age of five. Approximately 98% of the surgical procedures addressed cataract-related blindness, while the remaining cases involved other eye conditions. Reaching Rural Communities The campaign was implemented in Niger and Yobe States, which have a combined population of approximately 7.87 million people. Many residents, particularly those living in rural and low-income communities, face limited access to specialized healthcare services, including eye care. Cataracts remain one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in northern Nigeria. The campaign included seven days of community-based eye screenings in each state, followed by surgical interventions at the State Specialist Hospital in Damaturu, Yobe State, and the Dr. Idris Kuta Primary Health Care Centre in Minna, Niger State. Prior to implementation, extensive awareness and community mobilization activities were carried out in coordination with government authorities and community leaders to ensure that services reached the targeted populations. Sight Is a Right Mr. Irshad Ali Shekh, Programmes Manager at Qatar Charity’s Nigeria Branch, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to expanding access to healthcare services and improving the lives of vulnerable communities. He stressed that “Sight is a right, not a privilege,” and emphasized Qatar Charity’s continued cooperation with government institutions and partners to strengthen healthcare services and reduce preventable blindness. The campaign was officially launched in late July 2026 during a ceremony held in Minna, Niger State, attended by Mr. Yakubu Garba, Deputy Governor of Niger State, and Asem Abu Al Shaer, Country Director of Qatar Charity’s Nigeria Branch. During the event, the Deputy Governor praised the strong partnership between the state government and Qatar Charity and commended the organization’s contribution to improving the well-being of local communities. He also reaffirmed the government’s support for Qatar Charity’s humanitarian and development initiatives. Tangible Impact The campaign had a tangible impact on beneficiaries’ lives, enabling many to resume their daily, educational, and economic activities. Among them was Usman Muhammad, a 10-year-old boy from Niger State, who regained his sight following a successful operation and is now expected to return to school during the current academic year. Expressing his gratitude, his father, Muhammad, said: “My son was not attending school because he had lost his sight. Alhamdulillah, after the surgery, he regained his vision and will soon return to school during the current academic year.” Through this intervention, Qatar Charity reaffirms its commitment to supporting eye health services in Nigeria and implementing targeted initiatives that help reduce preventable blindness and improve the quality of life of vulnerable communities across the country.

10/09/2026

Qatar Charity Delivers Social Housing and Livelihood Projects to Vulnerable Families in Bangladesh
As part of its ongoing efforts to provide decent housing and sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable communities, Qatar Charity (QC) has inaugurated a new social housing project for landless and homeless families in Kohela Village under Mirzapur Upazila of Tangail District, Bangladesh. The project consists of a six-storey residential building constructed to provide safe, secure, and dignified accommodation for disadvantaged families. A total of 24 families will benefit from the project through 24 residential flats. According to the project design, the building comprises six floors, with four flats on each floor. Each flat measures approximately 640 square feet and includes two bedrooms, a drawing room, a dining room, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, and a balcony, ensuring a comfortable living environment for beneficiary families. The project aims to improve the living standards of families who previously lacked adequate housing and faced significant social and economic challenges. In addition to providing permanent housing, Qatar Charity has implemented an economic empowerment component to help beneficiaries achieve long-term self-reliance. Under this initiative, each beneficiary family has received 32 decimals of agricultural land, enabling them to engage in farming and other income-generating activities. The initiative reflects Qatar Charity's integrated approach to poverty alleviation by combining housing support with sustainable livelihood opportunities. Beneficiaries Express Gratitude Mrs. Lima Mollick, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her happiness, saying: “For many years, my family lived in uncertainty without a proper home. Today, we have a safe place to live and agricultural land to support our future. We are deeply grateful to Qatar Charity for changing our lives.” Mr. Shamsul Alam also shared his appreciation: “Receiving this flat is like a dream come true for my family. We now have security, dignity, and hope for a better future. The land provided to us will help us earn a living and support our children.” Mrs. Moriam Akhter highlighted the impact of the project on women and children: “This project has brought happiness and stability to our lives. My children can now grow up in a healthy and safe environment. We sincerely thank Qatar Charity and its donors for this invaluable support.”
08/09/2026 More details  
Qatar Charity Distributes over 1200 Food Baskets to Vulnerable Families in Syria
Qatar Charity has continued its humanitarian efforts in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor Governorate by implementing a food assistance initiative that benefited more than 1,200 vulnerable families affected by destruction and displacement. Carried out in cooperation with the Molham Volunteering Team, the initiative provided essential food baskets to families in several of the hardest-hit neighbourhoods. More than 1,200 food baskets were distributed, with each family receiving one basket weighing approximately 70 kilograms. In total, about 84.6 tonnes of food were distributed, indirectly benefiting more than 6,000 people. The assistance targeted the neighbourhoods of Al-Ardi, Al-Rushdiya, Khasarat, Kanamat and Sheikh Yassin, where communities continue to grapple with widespread destruction. Damage in some of the targeted areas exceeds 70 per cent, affecting homes, infrastructure, public facilities and essential services, while limiting residents’ ability to secure stable sources of income. The assistance comes amid difficult living conditions for families returning home after years of displacement. Many are living in damaged houses or in the few sections that remain habitable, while facing rising food prices, limited employment opportunities and dwindling sources of income. Mohammed Yazji, Relief Projects Coordinator at Qatar Charity’s Türkiye office, said: “This response reflects Qatar Charity’s commitment to reaching the families most in need, particularly those returning home after years of displacement and now facing extremely difficult conditions because of the destruction and limited income opportunities. Food basket assistance not only addresses urgent needs but also helps ease the financial pressure on these families, enabling them to meet their basic needs with dignity.” Yazji added: “The continued provision of humanitarian assistance in Deir ez-Zor and other affected areas remains an urgent priority. The response should also be expanded to include water, sanitation and hygiene, healthcare and livelihoods support, helping families regain stability and improve their living conditions.” Beneficiary families were selected according to clearly defined, needs-based criteria, with priority given to the most vulnerable groups, including female-headed households, large families, households that include older people or persons with disabilities, and families without a stable source of income. The project helped meet the essential food needs of beneficiary families and ease their economic and financial burdens. It forms part of Qatar Charity’s ongoing humanitarian efforts to support affected communities and strengthen food security among the most vulnerable households. Qatar Charity emphasises the importance of sustaining support for vulnerable families in Deir ez-Zor, particularly in the hardest-hit areas, while broadening humanitarian interventions to help communities overcome the effects of destruction and displacement and rebuild more stable lives.
07/09/2026 More details  
Stories of Giving Through Qatar Charity Go Beyond Humanitarian Assistance
On the International Day of Charity, giving takes on a meaning far greater than simply aiding those in need. Across the world, donations and contributions have been transformed into land serving the public good, a child taking steps again, villages gaining access to water, people regaining their sight, and families finding opportunities to build their futures through work. Together, these stories embody the philosophy of charitable action: moving beyond the act of giving to creating a lasting impact in people’s lives. Observed annually on 5 September, the International Day of Charity celebrates a value that may appear simple yet has far-reaching effects: one person extending a hand to another, and the desire to help becoming action that reaches those who need it. Across its projects worldwide, Qatar Charity’s humanitarian work takes many forms, made possible by the support of generous donors. Some needs cannot wait, while others require long-term interventions. Between the two lies a broad range of initiatives aimed at improving people’s lives, from health and water to education and livelihoods. A Story from Ghana In Ghana, one of the most compelling stories illustrating the meaning of generosity begins with a plot of land. Dr Hakeem owned land in a strategic location in Accra, the capital. Although he received offers from traders and investors to sell it, he chose a different path. In 2024, after learning about Qatar Charity’s projects in his country, he donated the land to the organization, convinced that his property could serve a wider public benefit if placed at the community’s disposal. The site helped make possible the establishment of an office and community complex featuring educational, social and service facilities. Here, the meaning of charity broadens. Giving does not necessarily mean donating money; it may mean offering land, time, knowledge, or an opportunity from which others can benefit. Arkan and the Restoration of Hope In Gaza, Arkan Jomaa needed an opportunity to rebuild his life. The four-year-old lost his parents and sister and sustained injuries in a bombing that resulted in the loss of his leg. After being evacuated to Jordan with his uncle, he began treatment and rehabilitation and started preparing to receive a prosthetic limb, with support from Qatar Charity in cooperation with the Restoring Hope Society in Jordan. For Arkan, the journey captures another dimension of giving. Assistance does not end with medical treatment; it extends to restoring mobility and helping a young child reclaim something of the childhood taken from him by war. From mobility to water, the need changes, but its essence remains the same: ensuring that what is provided can improve everyday life. In Senegal, Qatar Charity implemented water and sanitation projects in several areas. These included 246 wells and 49 water tanks for vulnerable families in Touba, alongside projects in other locations. With a total cost exceeding QR4 million, the initiative benefited more than 70,000 people. Restoring Sight In Sri Lanka, the path to a better life lay in restoring sight. Qatar Charity implemented a health initiative that included 300 cataract surgeries and the provision of 555 prescription eyeglasses, including 150 pairs for schoolchildren. The initiative targeted low-income families, older people, and children with vision problems. What these figures mean on the ground goes far beyond the numbers themselves. A successful procedure may enable someone to move about and work again, or allow a child to see their book, classroom board, and teacher clearly. Each time sight is restored, so too is a measure of the independence that had been lost. Urgent Relief Interventions There are times, however, when people cannot afford to wait. When floods struck Nepal, Qatar Charity moved swiftly to address urgent needs, providing 30 tons of staple food supplies, along with hygiene items and emergency shelter materials. The assistance reached thousands of people affected by the disaster. In such circumstances, speed of delivery becomes part of the value of the assistance itself. Food, shelter, and hygiene supplies are not optional extras when families have lost their homes and essential resources; they are needs that cannot be postponed. The face of giving changes from one place to another. In Ghana, it took the form of land. In Gaza, it became treatment and rehabilitation for a child who had lost his leg. In Senegal, it was water reaching thousands of people. In Sri Lanka, it meant restoring sight. In Nepal, it arrived as food and shelter in the aftermath of a disaster. These varied forms of support are what give the International Day of Charity its true meaning. Solidarity is not tied to a single type of need, nor can it be measured by one form of giving. Its value emerges when each need is met with the right response, and when available resources are transformed into tangible change in people’s lives.
06/09/2026 More details  

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