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Qatar Development Fund boosts UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund

Source:http://en.unesco.org   Date:2015-11-09

The Qatar Development Fund (QDF) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) signed today their first Memorandum of Understanding to support the implementation of UNESCO's programme for the protection of cultural and natural heritage in emergency situations.
The MOU provides a $2 million grant as part of a 2014 pledge by H.E. the Prime Minister of the State of Qatar, Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Thani, to donate $10 million to support UNESCO in conserving world heritage sites in areas hit by natural and man-made disasters.
UNESCO's Programme for Heritage Emergency Preparedness and Response aims to enhance UNESCO's ability to assist Member States in reducing the risks to their cultural and natural heritage and ensure a timely and effective response in emergency situations to ensure their safeguarding.
The Heritage Emergency Fund will support capacity building and training activities for professionals in conflict situations and emergency response activities.
Signed at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the agreement comes as the 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO has adopted a comprehensive strategy for the protection and promotion of culture and pluralism in times of war.

The MOU is signed