Critical support from Qatar Charity to UNICEF has helped to provide safe water and sanitation to over 75,000 Syrian refugees in Zaatari refugee camp since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement from the UN agency.

The support from Qatar Charity has helped UNICEF to provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to refugees in the camp. It has also enabled UNICEF to rapidly scale up its WASH response to respond to COVID-19 and recent heatwaves, ensuring that daily water allowance are increased to help keep refugee families safe and protected.

"Water is an extremely precious resource in Jordan and UNICEF is very grateful to Qatar Charity for their continued support to UNICEF, which has been critical to providing one of the most efficient and sustainable water and sanitation services in a refugee camp anywhere in the world,” said  UNICEF Jordan Representative Tanya Chapuisat in the statement. 

The generous contribution from Qatar Charity supports the operation of the extensive water and wastewater network in Zaatari refugee camp — including the effective management of three boreholes and eight pumping stations, as well as a wastewater treatment plant, the statement said. 

Awareness raising on proper handwashing, hygiene measures in the household and water conservation are also carried out with refugees in the camp through regular information dissemination and campaigns. 

Qatar Charity has contributed a total of $1 million to UNICEF in Jordan in 2020 to provide lifesaving services for children.

Qatar Charity is a leading non-governmental organisation and was established in compliance with the laws regulating the non-profit sector in the State of Qatar, according to the statement.