In a significant move to enhance community protection systems, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi has launched two humanitarian projects in Morocco. These initiatives aim to create safe environments for vulnerable children, including refugees and migrants, amidst the challenging social conditions many face. Morocco is home to refugees and asylum seekers from approximately 64 countries, highlighting the urgent need for support.
Initiatives Spearheaded by the Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi Foundation
The Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi Foundation for Humanitarian Services, established in 2024, is dedicated to protecting and empowering children affected by poverty, ignorance, conflict, and natural disasters worldwide. Its mission focuses on ensuring that these children receive their basic rights through community awareness programs, protection initiatives, and global strategic partnerships, all aimed at mitigating the risks of exploitation, forced labor, and child trafficking.
Details of the Humanitarian Projects
The first project, funded by the Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi Foundation and executed by the Aman Foundation for Child Protection, is designed to strengthen local child protection systems in the Souss-Massa region, specifically in the Taroudant area. Meanwhile, the second initiative is co-funded by the Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi Foundation and the Big Heart Foundation, implemented by the “Bayti” Association in the Kenitra region. These programs underscore the collective responsibility necessary for successful community protection.
Emphasis on Community Involvement
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi emphasized that these initiatives reflect the noble vision of the late Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, who believed that child protection should be at the core of community development. During her meeting with officials from the “Bayti” Association, she praised Morocco’s commitment to child welfare and its efforts to enhance community protection systems that serve all social strata, especially children—whether they are nationals or refugees seeking safety in Morocco.
Expanding the Reach of Protection Efforts
Addressing the importance of a nurturing environment, Sheikha Jawaher remarked, “We cannot rest easy knowing that a child is suffering or deprived of their right to care, education, and health.” She highlighted the need for collaborative efforts among governments, the private sector, and civil society to protect every child. The future we aspire to is one built by a generation raised with an awareness of human rights and responsibilities in a supportive environment that fosters knowledge and growth.
Sheikha Jawaher witnessed the signing of a grant agreement for the first project titled “Strengthening Local Child Protection Systems through Community Participation, Government Cooperation, and Mobile Field Access.” This initiative is set to last 17 months, targeting 740 direct beneficiaries and aiming to impact over 5,000 families and 180 institutional entities. Her Highness also visited the second project site, focusing on “Planting the Future: Prevention, Protection, Rehabilitation, and Care for Street-Working Children and Their Families.”
The initiatives by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi mark a monumental step in reinforcing community protection systems, ensuring that every child can thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.