Qatar Development donates $1.7 Million for Darfur Dialogue

During the joint visit to Doha of African Union-United Nations Acting Joint Special Representative (JSR) and Joint Chief Mediator ad interim for Darfur, Abiodun Bashua and Ali Al-Za’tari, UN Resident Coordinator/ Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Sudan, the Qatar Development Fund (QVN) signed a $1.7 million grant agreement to finance the Darfur Internal Dialogue Consultations, led by Unamid. “We are very grateful to the State of Qatar for its unwavering support to the efforts for peace and recovery in Darfur, where too many people have lost their lives and livelihoods”, said Ali Al-Za’tari. “It is our firm belief that investing in community dialogues in Darfur can help to break the cycle of violence and begin to sow the seeds of peace in this region of Sudan.” The proposed dialogue process is anchored in the Darfur Peace Agreement, signed in Doha in 2011, and will inform reconciliation and recovery efforts of the international community in Darfur. Today’s contribution from the Qatar Development Fund covers one quarter of the requirements for the comprehensive internal dialogue process. The total financing needs envisioned in the 18-month plan amount to $7.2 million. News photo: The agreement was signed by Dr Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Muraikhi, QVN General Manager, and Ali Al Za’tari, UN RC/HC and UNDP Resident Representative in Sudan. (UNDP) Related: Unamid Acting Head discusses Darfur with Qatari Deputy PM (4 November 2014)