DOHA: To mark the United Nations’ World Refugee Day on Thursday, Qatar Foundation International (QFI) joined its partners in Qatar and the US in an international clothing drive for Syrian refugee families.
More than 43.7 million refugees and internally displaced people worldwide generate the need for community action. QFI has launched a drive that provides the opportunity to join a global community cause — collecting new or slightly-worn clothes from Doha and cities in the US that reach displaced families affected by the crisis in Syria.
In addition to food and shelter, clothing is a critical need for refugee communities. From Doha and various cities across the US, QFI is working with its partners, SocialFund.org, the Mِvenpick Hotel Doha and the German Dental Center to mobilise global citizens to take part in a clothing drive for Syrian refugees and internally displaced people.
Working with independent schools in Doha, QFI has set up clothing drop off points at the Mِovenpick Hotel Doha and the German Dental Center. Citizens across Doha can contribute by dropping off culturally-appropriate lightly-worn or unused clothing at either of these locations that will be transported to those in need in Syria.
Across the world, youth are taking similar action in their communities to raise awareness on refugee issues and to encourage others to take action. In the US, students from QFI partner schools in Washington, DC, Portland and Los Angeles, have organised their own clothing drives within their schools and their neighbourhoods. With QFI support and coordination, these clothes are shipped to Syrian refugee communities in various towns in Lebanon.
“QFI’s community of students and partner organisations know that it’s not enough to watch a disaster unfold, feel badly but do nothing. One Syrian student in Doha has organised videoconferences with his peers in US high schools and classrooms to discuss the situation in his country; many students in our community were collecting clothing for the past year, packed and shipped it to refugee organizations themselves. It’s a network of people and caring that extends from Los Angeles to Doha. They give of their time and energy, even learn about the needs of others, and commit to make a difference. I am so proud to recognize and support them on World Refugee Day” said, Executive Director of QFI Maggie Mitchell Salem.
The Peninsula
