How do Qatari Humanitarian Diplomats Navigate Complex Political Landscapes?
Mona Hedaya is a Research Fellow at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies in Qatar
When we think of Qatar, images of gleaming skyscrapers and world-class sports events might come to mind. But there’s another side to this Gulf state making waves globally: its humanitarian diplomacy (HD). How does such a small nation make such a significant impact? This question sparked the academic curiosity of Dr. Ghassan Elkahlout and myself. Together, in our recent co-authored paper, ‘Examining Qatari humanitarian diplomacy: key features, challenges and prospects’ published in Third World Quarterly, we have dived into Qatar’s bold moves on the humanitarian stage to uncover what we could learn from their approach. Our goal was to understand how Qatar, despite its size, effectively navigates complex political and humanitarian landscapes and the challenges it faces along the way.
Humanitarian diplomacy is all about persuading decision-makers to act in the interests of vulnerable populations while respecting humanitarian principles. Over the past decade, Qatar has stepped up, blending moral duty with political savvy in order to carve out a space for itself in this field. And regardless of differing perspectives regarding its policies, Qatar’s efforts in humanitarian diplomacy have nonetheless gained significant recognition.
Strategic Moves in Humanitarian Aid
Among others, the country has been a first responder to crises in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Pakistan, Iraq, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Afghanistan, where it served as a key humanitarian mediator and facilitator during the chaotic evacuation efforts following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. These aren’t just token gestures; Qatar’s financial contributions are substantial, giving it a prominent role in international relief efforts.
But it’s not just about money. Qatar’s balanced foreign policy allows it to maintain relations with a diverse array of political and religious factions. This diplomatic knowledge has enabled it to act as a mediator in complex situations, like the peace talks between the Taliban and the US leading to the Doha Agreement on Afghanistan, showing that Qatar isn’t afraid to get involved in the complicated business of mediation, and it often succeeds where others hesitate.
Integrated Efforts and Real-World Challenges
So, what’s the secret behind Qatar’s humanitarian successes? It is the close cooperation between its government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Qatar Charity (QC) and the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) are at the forefront, working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This integrated approach ensures that their humanitarian missions are well-coordinated and effective.
One major challenge has been the lack of formal structures dedicated to HD within these organisations. Unlike more established entities, Qatari NGOs often operate on an ad-hoc basis, where in several cases the intervention is kicked-off by individual initiatives which can lead to incoherence and inefficiencies. Often, there are not enough well-trained staff or pre-prepared well-structured guidelines. Qatar’s organisations sometimes find their efforts, especially during crises, emerging from goodwill but on an ad-hoc basis.
Navigating Political Hurdles
Political tensions can sometimes throw a wrench into Qatar’s humanitarian efforts. This occurred in 2017 with the blockade by neighbouring Gulf countries, accusing Qatar of supporting terrorism. While this blockade failed to isolate Qatar politically, it has complicated its humanitarian operations. Accusations flew, and the lines between politics and humanitarianism became dangerously blurred.
Qatari humanitarian workers also do not benefit from the same protections as their counterparts in international organisations like the UN or International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Without diplomatic immunity, they face legal and security risks that can impede their work in conflict zones. This lack of protection is a glaring vulnerability that needs addressing.
Rising to the Challenge
Despite these hurdles, Qatar continues its efforts. We see Qatar continually adapting its strategies to enhance its HD efforts. One promising development is the focus on professional training for humanitarian workers. For instance, the UN Institute for Training and Research ran a course in 2021 to bolster the skills of Qatar’s diplomats. This emphasis on capacity building is crucial for effective HD. Qatar also leverages its Islamic heritage to build rapport with communities in Muslim-majority regions. This cultural and religious connection often makes humanitarian operations smoother, as local populations see Qatari aid as coming from a place of shared values and understanding. Integrating faith principles with international humanitarian law, Qatar is crafting a distinctive blend of traditional and modern humanitarian practices. For instance, by hosting sessions that emphasise the connections between international humanitarian law (IHL) and Islamic law of war, they highlighted key Islamic guidelines, which instruct against harming non-combatants, nature, and more. Qatar also hosted the Islamic Forum for International Humanitarian Law (IFIHL), with the Islamic Committee of the International Crescent (ICIC).
The Impact: Nothing Comes Without a Cost
However, Qatar’s efforts in HD have produced mixed results. Its role in mediating conflicts and providing humanitarian aid has significantly boosted its international reputation. But these initiatives have not been without criticism. Naturally, the first critique is often scepticism about their motives, suggesting they are politically driven rather than purely humanitarian, which might hold some truth given the nature of diplomatic realities.
Some argue that Qatar’s interventions lack conflict sensitivity, pointing to instances where mediation efforts have not led to lasting peace. For example, Qatar’s mediation between the government and Houthi rebels in Yemen in 2008 ultimately failed, escalating tensions instead of resolving them. Critics say this highlights a reliance on short-term, ad-hoc efforts rather than sustainable, long-term strategies. These experiences underscore the delicate balance needed in HD and highlight the need for more comprehensive approaches.
Involvement in such complicated mediations does not come without a cost. Take Qatar’s humanitarian diplomacy role and mediation in Gaza, for example. Qatar has faced sharp criticism from various sides. Critics have accused Qatar of supporting terrorism due to its engagement with Hamas, while ignoring the substantial humanitarian aid Qatar has provided to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians under blockade. Additionally, these critics often overlook Qatar’s efforts to release Israeli hostages/detainees from the very beginning of the conflict and its success in negotiating the release of some hostages/detainees, showcasing its commitment to humanitarian principles regardless of political complexities.
It is also essential to consider the broader context of Qatar’s actions. Some critiques are valid, such as the need for more sustainable and institutionalised strategies. However, balancing these dual roles of providing aid and navigating political sensitivities is a challenging task by nature. When we evaluate it, we should start by setting the scene in a more comprehensive context.
The Path Forward
Qatar’s story in humanitarian diplomacy shows us that even a small nation can make a big difference with the right mix of resources and strategy. Addressing the challenges of institutionalisation, professional capacity, and political tensions will be key to enhancing Qatar’s impact in HD. Qatar’s journey reminds us that impactful humanitarian action is not the exclusive domain of large, powerful countries. With continued innovation and commitment, Qatar can remain a significant player in humanitarian diplomacy, showing the world that size isn’t everything when it comes to making a difference. So, whether you’re a policy-maker, an aid worker, or just someone who cares about global humanitarian issues, Qatar’s moves in HD are definitely worth watching.
In my future research, I aim to explore strategies that emerging humanitarian diplomacy actors, particularly small nations like Qatar, can adopt to better navigate the impact of political tensions and interference, ensuring that humanitarian principles remain at the forefront of their diplomacy while offering better protection and immunity for HD diplomats.
The opinions expressed are those of the contributor, not of the RSAA.