By RAED BADAVVI–
Kalo Africa Media Correspondent – Doha, Qatar
Three East African countries, Somalia, Djibouti and Kenya, have been included in a major humanitarian campaign launched by Qatar Charity, which aims to raise approximately $33 million to assist vulnerable communities affected by severe weather conditions and prolonged humanitarian crises.
The Qatar-based humanitarian organization announced its 2026-2027 “Winter Heroes” campaign on Sunday, setting a fundraising target of QAR 120 million for relief operations, humanitarian projects and assistance to disadvantaged communities in Qatar and abroad.
Of that amount, QAR 70 million, equivalent to approximately $19.2 million, is targeted for international assistance across 12 countries.
Somalia, Djibouti and Kenya are the three sub-Saharan African countries included in the programme.
East Africa Among Humanitarian Priorities
Aisha Abdulrazzaq Al Kuwari, Director of Humanitarian Operations at Qatar Charity, outlined the campaign’s international priorities during a press conference in Doha.
According to the announcement published by Qatar News Agency, the initiative will prioritize vulnerable populations affected by humanitarian emergencies, displacement, poverty and difficult climatic conditions.
The international programme will cover Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Lebanon, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Kosovo.
The inclusion of the three East African countries reflects the geographical reach of Qatar Charity’s humanitarian operations.
However, the organization has not announced how much funding will be allocated individually to Somalia, Djibouti or Kenya.
Food Security and Essential Assistance
The campaign will provide essential supplies intended to help vulnerable families cope with seasonal hardship.
Planned assistance includes food packages, blankets, winter clothing, tents, heating equipment and other basic household necessities.
The initiative will also support food security projects designed to improve access to essential supplies and strengthen the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
Particular attention will be given to families affected by prolonged humanitarian emergencies, as well as orphans supported through Qatar Charity’s existing sponsorship programmes.
The organization said assistance would be distributed according to humanitarian priorities and conditions in the countries concerned.
Early Preparations for Humanitarian Response
Abdulaziz Jassim Hejji, Executive Director of Communications and Community Impact at Qatar Charity, explained that the campaign was being launched in October to allow sufficient time for preparing and delivering assistance before the most difficult winter conditions.
The organization is also encouraging children and young people to participate in awareness activities intended to promote volunteerism and social responsibility.
Alongside its international programme, Qatar Charity aims to raise more than QAR 50 million for assistance within Qatar.
The domestic component is expected to benefit approximately 23,000 people, including low-income families, workers and orphan households.
Funding and Implementation
Although the campaign has established an overall fundraising target, Qatar Charity has not yet published country-specific allocations for the three East African beneficiaries.
The number of people expected to receive assistance in Somalia, Djibouti and Kenya has also not been specified.
The announcement therefore represents a commitment to include these countries in the organization’s forthcoming humanitarian programme rather than confirmation that assistance has already been distributed.
The campaign adds another dimension to Qatar’s humanitarian engagement with East Africa, where food security, displacement and the protection of vulnerable communities remain important development concerns.
Its eventual impact will depend on the funds raised, the assistance delivered and the needs identified by humanitarian teams operating in the beneficiary countries.
