Qatar Katrina Fund

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Cost of the United States with devastating results. During a visit to the United States a few weeks after the storm, His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, pledged 100 Million Dollars on behalf of the People of Qatar to assist the victims of the hurricane.

The entirety of this gift, known as the "Qatar Katrina Fund," has now been disbursed to eighteen prominent local organizations for specific projects in the Gulf Coast region. H.E. Nasser Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, then Qatar's Ambassador to the United States, led the effort to select the local partners with an emphasis on projects that provide health care, housing, and education assistance to the people most affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Since the storm, H.H. the Amir's gift on behalf of the People of Qatar has touched the lives of thousands of hurricane victims. Hospitals, universities, mosques and other facilities in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana were direct beneficiaries of the gift. Hundreds of families are now living in new homes provided by the Qatar Katrina Fund, and thousands of young people -- "Qatar Scholars" -- have completed, or are completing their college education with scholarships from the Qatar Katrina Fund. Visitors to the Gulf Coast are likely to see Qatar Katrina Fund markers, placed by local organizations in appreciation of the gift, throughout the region. In Washington, the Qatari Embassy received thousands of thank-you letters from victims of the hurricane who have been assisted by the Qatar Katrina Fund.

The work of the Qatar Katrina Fund is now complete. But thanks to the hard work of our local partners, the facilities and resources provided by the Qatar Katrina Fund will continue to help families and communities in their recovery from this tragedy. The People of Qatar are proud to join in this historic rebuilding effort.