The difference between emergency relief and development is this: emergency relief is immediate aid that saves lives, such as tents, blankets and hot food in winter, while development means projects that build people’s ability to rely on themselves, such as the wheat project that Qatar Charity launched in northern Syria in 2019, which reached about 875 thousand beneficiaries over seven years.
What is the difference between emergency relief and development?
| Emergency relief | Development | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Saving lives and easing the effect of the crisis immediately | Building the ability to rely on oneself |
| Examples | Tents, blankets and hot food | The wheat value chain from seed to bread |
| Time horizon | Weeks or months | Years |
Why is relief alone not enough?
Because displacement lasts and repeats itself: in 2024, disaster displacement was recorded in 45 of the 49 countries that recorded conflict displacement, and more than three quarters of people internally displaced by conflict live in countries with high or very high climate vulnerability, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. That is why there are calls to link humanitarian work with development and climate work.
How does Qatar Charity combine emergency relief and development?
The charity provides emergency winter relief through the winter campaign in Qatar, and it runs longer-term projects such as the wheat project in northern Syria, which started in 2019 and in which more than 1,544 hectares were planted and about 5,000 tonnes were produced, and such as the Zaatari health center, which provided more than 95 thousand medical consultations.
Frequently asked questions about emergency relief and development
What is emergency relief?
It is the immediate aid that saves lives and eases the effect of a crisis, such as tents, blankets, hot food and emergency medical care, and it comes within weeks or months after a disaster or as winter grows harsher.
What is the difference between relief and sustainable development?
Relief meets an immediate need, and development builds people’s ability to support themselves through longer-term projects, such as the wheat chain in northern Syria. Combining the two breaks the cycle of displacement, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre.
How do I support relief and development together?
Donate to the emergency winter campaign, add a recurring charity or support a development project that continues after the season, and review the options on the Qatar Charity website before completing your donation.
