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Qatar Charity and Save the Children host joint session on ‘Building Resilient Childhoods in Afghanistan’
Qatar Charity (QC), in collaboration with Save the Children, organized a joint session titled 'Building Resilient Childhoods in Afghanistan' to discuss the most prominent developments and emerging visions in Afghanistan with regional and global relevance. The session was attended by officials from both organizations, alongside representatives from diplomatic missions, Qatari government bodies, the United Nations, and partners in humanitarian and development work.
The session aimed to exchange experiences, think jointly about critical issues, and identify ways of future cooperation. It served as a platform to highlight local experiences and make the voices of less represented communities heard in the fields of humanitarian and development work.
As Afghanistan faces multiple challenges which significantly impact the well-being of children and communities, the session discussed key topics, including different models for religious schools (Madrassa), protecting vulnerable groups, especially women and girls, and the impact of climate change on children in Afghanistan, with a focus on sustainable solutions for humanitarian and developmental challenges.
During his opening remarks at the session, Mr. Nawaf Abdulla AlHammadi, Chief Global Operation Officer at Qatar Charity, said, “It is truly a pleasure to welcome our partners and colleagues for this important gathering. This joint session with Save the Children reflects our shared commitment to the wellbeing of the most vulnerable—especially children in Afghanistan, who continue to face tremendous challenges. At a time when global crises are escalating, partnerships like this one are not just valuable, they are essential. Together, we can move beyond raising concerns to driving real solutions and impact for children growing up in adversity. He also thanked Save the Children for actively taking part in the session.
Ms. Gabriella Waaijman, Chief Operating officer at Save The children, expressed heartfelt thanks to Qatar Charity for hosting this joint important dialogue on building resilience for children in Afghanistan. She said, “This session comes at a critical time, as the humanitarian sector faces unprecedented financial shocks and uncertainty. Strong and strategic partnerships—like the one between Save the Children and Qatar Charity—are essential to protect the progress we have made and to reimagine a future where children not only survive but thrive. Through collaborative action and flexible funding, we can ensure that even amid crisis, hope and impact remain possible.'
For his part, Mana Mohammed Al-Ansari, Director of External Affairs, at Qatar Charity, said, “The children of Afghanistan, like children everywhere, have a right to a life of safety, dignity, and opportunity. Yet, their reality is often defined by conflict, displacement, environmental crisis, and barriers to basic rights such as education and protection. We must center the voices of those who are too often unheard, and challenge ourselves to think beyond conventional approaches. Our collective task is to look towards solutions that are as multifaceted as the challenges we face. This includes bridging humanitarian response with long-term development and integrating climate resilience and education into our protection frameworks.
The session concluded with a strong call to unify international efforts to bolster children's resilience in Afghanistan through strategic investment in education, protection, and effective partnerships—with special attention to the climate crisis, which continues to intensify children’s hardships and jeopardize their futures.
