Issue 8
At the start of the pandemic, she added a new title to
her name when she took on the role of Spokesperson
of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, a
cross-government body with the mandate to combat
COVID-19 and keep Qatar’s citizens and residents
safe. She has become a beacon of hope to those
looking for guidance and a sense of certainty during
such uncertain times.
“A difficult situation feeds on misinformation. Facing
this pandemic as a united front means including
the people of Qatar in the government’s response
process and letting them make informed decisions
for their personal safety and health,” emphasises HE
Al Khater.
In her lifetime, she has seen Qatar implement
progressive reforms and emerge as a cultural and
economic hub in the region. Qatar embodied a spirit
of unwavering resilience and self-reliance, spurred
by the illegal blockade imposed on Qatar in June
2017 - the same year HE Al Khater was appointed as
the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“When the crisis hit, I realised that I could do my part
to serve the country and offer up my expertise,”
she explains.
Three years into the blockade, the world was struck
by another life-altering event. And yet, little has
changed about HE Al Khater’s fearless approach -
no matter the scope of crisis. “Knowing that every
decision taken underpins the safety of the people
makes it easy to communicate, especially since
the people of Qatar stood in solidarity with the
government and helped the health sector to flatten
the curve.”
government’s performance and makes the status of
the pandemic readily available to the public. For HE
Al Khater, this availability was crucial: “Transparent
and clear messages support the government’s efforts
to overcome the pandemic.”
Not only has Qatar made transparency one of its
hallmarks, it has also ensured that all people –
irrespective of age, gender, nationality, religion,
and social status – receive the information and
care they need to overcome the virus. Messages on
healthcare practices and coronavirus restrictions are
communicated in seven different languages through
various platforms. Universal healthcare provides
medical assistance to anyone who needs it at no
charge.
With actions that reverberate as deeply as her words
to the people, HE Al Khater met with countless
volunteers in the quarantine facilities to honour their
selfless and passionate work for Qatar. “I think that
our volunteers will create a legacy of effective crisis
management for the country, built on the invaluable
experiences and self-growth we all are undergoing at
this time.”
HE Al Khater knows that this is an accomplishment
shared with the people of Qatar whose selfless acts
of kindness helped to protect others: “Thank you for
your service and for putting your life at risk to protect
others. You are the heroes of this crisis, and your
dedication is a source of inspiration for us all.”
As the Spokesperson of the Supreme Committee
for Crisis Management, HE Al Khater makes a point
to note that Qatar is one of the few countries in
the region that publicises accurate data on the
10