Foundation Sheikh Thani Ibn Abdullah for Humanitarian Services

The Foundation Sheikh Thani Ibn Abdullah for Humanitarian Services (الإنسانية للخدمات اللهعبد بن ثاني الشيخ لمؤسسة), abbreviated as RAF (فأر) is a Qatari foundation established by the al-Thani family.

The foundation provides humanitarian aid and contributes to social development of all sectors of the Qatari society without discrimination. RAF is also engaged in international projects in partnership with foundations that share the same goal.

Mission

According to its website, RAF aspires to reach levels of excellence as a humanitarian foundation which participates in “establishing communities of mercy” in Qatar and throughout the world.

The foundation aims to support those who are most in need, and pursues five main goals:

• Consolidating humanitarian compassion;
• Achieving social solidarity;
• Providing relief to injured parties;
• Protecting human values;
• Developing and supporting charitable projects.

Activities

RAF’s initiatives are primarily focused on “Training and Development” and “Humanitarian Aid.” The RAF Center for Training and Civil Society Studies is a good example of the foundation’s synergic approach to both areas of action, in that it aims to provide specialized training in the field of humanitarian and charitable work. In fact, the foundation attempts to identify the needs of organizations, charities and workers in the field of humanitarian work, and to develop ad hoc training programs in order to enhance their performances.

RAF also designs and implements specialized projects to develop the educational and professional capacities of targeted social groups and to support their entry into the labor market.

The foundation organizes conferences, seminars and workshops on the subjects of humanitarian work and community service to evaluate and measure the impact of the gained experience, and establishes partnerships with institutions and experts in the field.

Moreover, RAF carries out extensive research in the field of humanitarian aid. The foundation closely monitors the development of the Qatari society, prepares studies on contemporary phenomena and social problems, and contributes to the dissemination of humanitarian culture and volunteerism among civil society through integrated social network information and publications.

Recent initiatives

RAF is especially active in the fields of education, healthcare and medical assistance, and supports international efforts to meet the basic needs of people throughout the world.

The foundation is currently preparing to implement a Food Bank in Qatar that is expected to benefit 1200 families on a monthly basis.

RAF has funded 157 charitable projects in Sudan, and has recently initiated the implementation of service complexes for several villages in Darfur within the framework of its “Darfur development program.”

With RAF financial support, the “RAF International University” was established in Kenya to provide modern university education and to serve the Muslim minorities in East Africa by reinforcing their presence in all productive and intellectual sectors. RAF also opened the largest mosque in the city of Mannar, in Northern Sri Lanka.

Moreover, the foundation is planning to build a school in Kyrgyzstan and an educational complex in Mauritania. RAF also carried out a work field study in Tunisia and submitted a plan to establish a package of projects that serve the country’s economic and social development.

Achievements

According to the data available on the foundation’s website, RAF has established 140 training programs involving 1836 trainees and organized two conferences and international meetings.

RAF acknowledges 150 institutions among its beneficiaries, including its partners, senior leadership institutions, charitable and humanitarian organizations and volunteers.