Next month, Qatar will mark three years to the illegal and unjust blockade imposed on it.

Although the country has come a long way since then and has bolstered local capabilities across different sectors, Qatar has always stressed on dialogue to resolve the crisis.

The country has once again shined a spotlight on the need for collective action to put an end to the suffering of people and enhance international peace and security.

Speaking at a virtual meeting held by the United Nations (UN) Security Council on "the Protection of civilians in armed conflict," the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Her Excellency Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani underlined that the unjust blockade fails to consider the dire consequences on the region's security and stability.

The Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN said the Security Council has always emphasized the significance of conflict prevention in light of a commitment to collective action to spare people all over the world the suffering and destruction. She pointed out that this was not followed in many cases.

Qatar reaffirms that the unjust blockade imposed on it threatens the security and stability of the region and violates international law and contradicts the orientations of the international community #QNA

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) May 28, 2020

The Arab region has been seeing many crises and conflicts that cause tremendous suffering, HE Sheikha Alya highlighted.

However, instead of tackling these crises, the siege nations have chosen a path that violates the provisions of international law, she said.

During her speech, HE Sheikha Alya said Qatar is proud of its partnership with the UN system to enhance the organization's ability to respond to millions of civilians in need in armed conflict. 

In this regard, she mentioned Qatar's multi-year support to the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Human Affairs and pointed out Qatar chairing the group in July.

Under this support, Qatar provided funding and support to humanitarian efforts in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Nigeria, she mentioned.

Sheikha Alya also spoke about Qatar's commitment to international humanitarian law. In this regard, Qatar signed a joint declaration of intent with the International Committee of the Red Cross - the first of its kind in the region - to support civilians affected by armed conflict.

Responding to the calls made by UN Secretary-General to counter the humanitarian effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Sheikha Alya shined a light on the cooperation between Qatar and Nato. This saw the country send humanitarian and medical supplies by air through the Nato Disaster Relief Co-ordination Centre.

Furthermore, HE Sheikha Alya said the unprecedented global health crisis in the face of the pandemic has added to the sufferings of over 70 million victims in armed conflicts.

She also called for immediate action by the international community to protect civilians in such situations who also face the risks posed by the pandemic.

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Source: QNA