The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (Department of Agricultural Affairs), made a humanitarian contribution of packed local dates to the World Food Program, amounting to 158 tons, in order to support the food aid provided by the program in the field of humanitarian work around the world.

The contribution comes within the framework of strengthening partnership with local, regional and international actors, United Nations institutions, and civil society organizations to help marginalized groups and communities around the world, including refugees.

The contribution was officially handed over to the Qatar Red Crescent Society, in the presence of Mr. Yousef Mohammed Al-Awadi, Director of Resources Development at the Red Crescent, and Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Khanji - the official contact point for the Ministry of Municipality and Environment to follow up on the annual contribution of dates for the benefit of the World Food Program.

The State of Qatar has been a major donor to the World Food Program since 2004, when the Qatari government provides its annual contribution to the World Food Program in the form of locally packed dates purchased from a local company in the country.

Since 2004, the State of Qatar has supported the World Food Program with dates at a value of $200,000 annually, and in 2011, the State of Qatar increased its contribution of dates to reach $400,000 annually.