Her Excellency Sheikha Hind: Qatar will come back stronger from its coronavirus challenge

Qatar’s proven resilience and ability to overcome challenges will see it emerge “even stronger” from the global coronavirus crisis, Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, has said.

The worldwide COVID-19 outbreak has led to nations taking sweeping precautionary measures in an attempt to prevent the virus spreading. With the safety and wellbeing of its own community and the wider public being its top priority, Qatar Foundation’s (QF) steps have included closing its public facilities and programs at Education City and cancelling forthcoming events, with school and university classes also being suspended across the country.

Amid the adjustments to daily life that COVID-19 has created, Her Excellency Sheikha Hind said positivity, proactivity, and a determination to find solutions are already characterizing Qatar’s response to the virus, with the nation’s sense of readiness and togetherness putting it in the best position to address the challenges the virus poses.

“Life is a little overwhelming right now, but we’ve been preparing for a day like this,” she said. “We can, and we will, step up to the challenge.
“The stories I’ve been hearing are heartwarming. Teachers thinking of ways to keep our children motivated, our teams at QF ensuring third-party vendors are not affected, scientists and researchers offering their support to our government agencies.

“Please know that we are being cautious not out of fear, but out of a sense of responsibility to protect the most vulnerable and to not burden our health services. As a nation, we have proven to be resilient in the past, and I have no doubt that we will come out of this even stronger.”

Among the measures taken by QF is the activation of tried-and-tested remote working processes for many of its staff, ensuring its core operations continue while reflecting that public health and wellbeing is of paramount importance to the organization.

And Her Excellency Sheikha Hind said steps such as these can ultimately be more than a precautionary response to a health crisis, by helping to shape innovative working practices that continue into the future.

“This is our opportunity to redesign the future workplace,” she said.

“With the right mindset, we can increase productivity and reinvent the way we work in the long run.”

QF continues to advise people to follow the guidance outlined by the Ministry of Public Health in order to safeguard themselves against COVID-19. Full details of the measures taken by QF in response to the virus, including those regarding the closure of facilities and programs, can be found at www.statements.qf.org.qa, and further updates will be provided as appropriate.