Education Above All Foundation and Its Partners Launch an Immediate Response to Address the Gaza Crisis
21 December 2023, Doha (Qatar) Under the initiative of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the Chairperson of Education Above All Foundation (EAA), in a concerted effort to find immediate and practical solutions for providing humanitarian support in the Gaza Strip, the Education Above All Foundation, through its Al Fakhoora programme, and in collaboration with its partners has unveiled unprecedented measures to address the dire crisis in Gaza. In a press conference held today at Education City, the EAA Foundation announced ground-breaking projects, encompassing immediate response, aimed at supporting over 233,000 children and youth affected by the ongoing conflict, with a total value of 33 million Qatari Riyals.
The conference was attended by senior officials from various local and international organizations and institutions, including Mr. Khalifa Jassim Al-Kuwari, Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development, HE CEO of Qatar Charity Yousef Ahmed al-Kuwari, Mr. Fahad Al Sulaiti, CEO of the EAA Foundation, Mr. Faisal Mohammed Al Emad, Acting Secretary-General of Qatar Red Crescent Society, Mr. Muhammad bin Yaqoub Al Ali, Assistant Director General of the General Endowments Department, Mr. Hamad Al Hajri, Head of Student Services at the University of Doha for Science and Technology, Ms. Maryam Farooqi, Senior Gulf Advisor at Save the Children, Mr. Dominic Allen, UNFPA Representative for the State of Palestine, and Mr. Marc Rubin, UNICEF Deputy Regional Director.
EAA foundation and its partners respond urgently to the critical needs in Gaza, providing several initiatives, mental health and psychosocial support to crisis-affected children, adolescents and those supporting them, providing hot meals for out-of-school children, and delivering essential hygiene and menstrual health kits for girls and women. With a primary focus on rebuilding hope through education, the Foundation plans to grant 100 scholarships to Palestinian children and youth in Qatar, strategically focusing on vital fields like medicine and engineering, which are essential for Gaza’s recovery.
With collective action at the core of the EAA Foundation’s efforts in Gaza, the initiative will address Gaza’s complex challenges through innovative partnerships. This impactful package is set to be delivered with the support of the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) and The General Directorate of Endowments (AWQAF), the EAA Foundation and its partners, UNICEF, UNFPA, Save The Children, The University of Doha for Science and Technology, and a joint initiative between Qatar Red Crescent and Qatar Charity.
The immediate initiatives include:
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in the Gaza Strip Recognising the critical importance of mental health, the EAA Foundation is partnering with UNICEF to offer services to 51,000 individuals, including 35,000 children, 15,000 caregivers, and 1,000 frontline workers. This initiative aims to safeguard the mental well-being of those affected by the crisis.
Meals for Displaced Children in the Gaza Strip
In initiatives specialized in providing urgent relief by providing meals to 150,000 children and their families in the Gaza Strip, the Foundation will partner with Qatar Charity and the Qatar Red Crescent, as this initiative will ensure that children and their families receive daily meals for 30 days.
Psychosocial Support/Recreational Activities
EAA Foundation is partnering Save the Children International to distribute recreational and winterization kits, in addition to safe learning spaces for 8,000 children and 6,230 care givers to help out of school children affected by the conflict resume their education
Scholarships for Palestinian Children and Youth in Qatar To ensure the continuity of quality education for affected young people, the EAA Foundation is providing 100 scholarships, to Palestinian children and youth in Qatar. Partnering with esteemed institutions such as the University of Doha for Science and Technology, these scholarships emphasise majors crucial for the future – Medicine, Nursing, IT, and Engineering.
Health and Hygiene Kits for Women and Girls EAA Foundation, securing funding from UNFPA, will distribute 15,000 health and menstrual hygiene kits to OOSC girls and women in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, 3,000 youth (aged 15-29) will be engaged in designing and implementing community initiatives targeting vulnerable internally displaced persons (IDPs) both in and outside of shelters.
Fahad Al Sulaiti, CEO of EAA Foundation, stated, “Education Above All Foundation, through its Al Fakhoora programme, remains steadfast in its dedication to providing unwavering support to those affected by the crisis in Gaza. Through collaborative efforts and innovative interventions, the EAA Foundation is committed to rebuilding lives and fostering hope in the hearts of those who need it the most.
We call for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and accountability for attacks on educational institutions and UN facilities in Gaza.”
About the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation
The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation is a global foundation established in 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. EAA Foundation aims to transform lives through education. We believe that education is the single most effective means of reducing poverty, creating peaceful and just societies, unlocking the full potential of every child and youth, and creating the right conditions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through our multi-sectoral approach, unique financing models, focus on innovation as a tool for social good, and partnerships, we aim to bring hope and real opportunities to the lives of impoverished and marginalised boys and girls.
EAA Foundation is comprised of the following programmes: Educate A Child (EAC), Al Fakhoora, Reach Out To Asia (ROTA), Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict (PEIC), Innovation Development (ID) and Together project.