HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani praised the heartwarming stories of resilience from across the nation

Qatar’s proven resilience and ability to overcome challenges will see it emerge ‘even stronger’ from the global coronavirus crisis, according to HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation (QF).

The worldwide COVID-19 outbreak has led to nations taking sweeping precautionary measures in an attempt to prevent the virus from spreading. With the safety and well-being of its own community and the wider public being its top priority, Qatar Foundation has in the meantime, closed its public facilities and programmes at Education City, and cancelled forthcoming events, with school and university classes also suspended across the country.

Amidst the adjustments to daily life that COVID-19 has created, HE Sheikha Hind said that positivity, proactivity and a determination to find solutions are already part of 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 that the virus poses.

She said that life is a little overwhelming right now, but also pointed out how Qatar have been preparing for a day like this. She said that 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.

She added that the country is being cautious not out of fear, but out of a sense of responsibility to protect the most vulnerable. She also mentioned that the country’s health services should not be unnecessarily burdened.

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, reflecting that public health and well-being is of paramount importance to the organisation.

HE Sheikha Hind said that 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, an opportunity to redesign the future workplace.

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 programmes, can be found at statements.qf.org.qa. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.