UN chief thanks Qatar for assistance against COVID-19

DOHA (AA) – Qatar's emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has received a thank-you message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for sending urgent aid to Afghanistan and facilitating the deployment of UN staff in Yemen.

In his message, Guterres said the UN humanitarian flights were enabled the access and deployment of emergency humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, as well as the replacing of UN personnel, according to a statement issued by the Qatari Amiri Diwan.

"The State of Qatar has provided basic and timely support for the transportation of the staff of the United Nations Mission in Support of the Hodeidah Agreement, as part of the interim procedure for our operations in Yemen," he said.

The UN chief also hailed the Qatari support for efforts aimed at stemming the coronavirus outbreak worldwide.

"The ideal support that Qatar has provided to the United Nations shows the responsibility and solidarity that are most needed to meet the challenges of COVID-19," he said.

On Sunday, Qatar Airways said it signed an agreement with UN refugee agency UNHCR to deliver humanitarian relief and assistance to the displaced globally.

Qatar has sent humanitarian assistance to several countries to help them in the fight against coronavirus, including China, India, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Australia, the UK and the US.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara