Jakarta (Indonesia Window) - A non-governmental humanitarian organization, Qatar Charity (QC), and the Indonesian Ministry of Religion have agreed to continue cooperation worth 30 million U.S. dollars or around 420 billion rupiahs.

The agreement was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding by QC Indonesia’s Director Karam Zeinhom and Head of the Ministry’s Legal and Foreign Cooperation Affairs M. Mudhofir at the Indonesian Ministry of Religion Office here on Wednesday (June 24).

According to Indonesian Minister of Religion Fachrul Razi, cooperation with Qatar Charity is a global concern of Qatar in the development of human and social resources to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

"We should be grateful for this opportunity because the Ministry of Religion can continue to work with Qatar Charity for the next three years," the minister said.

The agreement is the fourth time to continue the cooperation that has been established since 2006.

In the fourth period, the cooperation covers 27 districts/cities and eight provinces in some strategic development sectors, and annual programs such as breaking the fast, zakat (alms) and Islamic sacrifices.

Fachrul Rozi added that the cooperation was in line with the spirit of Indonesia's development to build human resources and provide infrastructure to establish prosperous community.

"Moreover, the world, especially Indonesia, is facing the COVID-19 pandemic which is a real threat to humanity, so we need supports, and cooperation with many parties," he said.

Meanwhile, according to Director of QC Indonesia Karam Zeinhom, the scope of the cooperation which takes effect from the signing until 2023 covers five areas of human development.

Those are the development of Indonesian human resources in the fields of education and culture; development of health, social and religious education facilities; provision of clean water and sanitation facilities; development of the productive abilities of the disadvantaged; and provision humanitarian assistance to natural disaster victims.

Reporting by Indonesia Window