The Islamic Development Bank and Qatar Charity have signed a strategic agreement aimed at expanding sustainable humanitarian support for displaced populations through the Global Islamic Fund for Refugees (GIFR).
The agreement was announced during a ceremony in Baku, where both sides confirmed a new contribution designed to strengthen long-term aid for refugees, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable host communities across member countries.
Under the deal, Qatar Charity will contribute US$10 million as a waqf endowment to the fund, reinforcing efforts to move beyond short-term emergency aid towards a more sustainable financing model.
The GIFR, launched in 2022 in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), uses Islamic finance principles to preserve capital and generate ongoing returns for humanitarian programmes.
Officials said the new partnership reflects a shared commitment to addressing rising global displacement through innovative funding models that combine immediate relief with long-term development solutions.
The collaboration also aims to support projects in education, healthcare, shelter, and livelihoods, with a focus on strengthening resilience in affected communities.
Representatives from the Islamic Development Bank said the agreement marks an important step in scaling up the fund’s impact and ensuring more predictable financing for displacement crises.
Qatar Charity highlighted its decades-long experience in humanitarian work, saying the partnership aligns with its approach of supporting sustainable, Sharia-compliant financing models that reduce dependency on traditional aid cycles.
The Global Islamic Fund for Refugees currently supports programmes across several countries affected by displacement, with contributions from multiple international partners including humanitarian organisations and development institutions.
