Qatar Brings Record of 14 Humanitarian Operations That Reunited 87 Ukrainian Children With Their Families to Toronto

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published October 1, 2026
Updated October 1, 2026

Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتساب

With more than 14 humanitarian operations that helped reunite 87 Ukrainian children with their families, Qatar arrived at Toronto’s Pathways to Peace conference with a mediation record built on direct work since 2023. The operations involved communication with both Ukraine and Russia and coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross, placing Qatar’s experience at the centre of the challenge the conference was convened to address: bringing children separated by war back to their families.

Qatar was represented by Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, who presented the results of the country’s work over the past three years. According to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the effort did not end when children were reunited with their relatives. Doha also hosted a number of families after their reunification and provided specialized physical and psychological recovery and rehabilitation programs.

That record directly reflects one of the central challenges identified at the Toronto conference. Participants acknowledged that returning Ukrainian children continues to depend in part on intermediary states and civil-society organizations capable of helping locate children, establish contact and create pathways for their return. The conference’s joint communiqué said some children have already returned as those pathways expanded, including through intermediary countries.

Qatar says its role has depended on maintaining communication with both sides of the war. Since 2023, those contacts have produced more than 14 humanitarian operations conducted with the ICRC and contributed to the return of 87 Ukrainian children to their families.

Canada separately acknowledged those results. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, who met Al Misnad during the Toronto conference, thanked Qatar for diplomatic efforts that helped return Ukrainian children through humanitarian operations carried out with the ICRC.

Qatar’s involvement has also included financial and humanitarian assistance. Doha says it allocated $100 million to support the humanitarian response in Ukraine, covering areas including health, education and essential services, alongside other programs supporting children and families affected by the war.

The Pathways to Peace conference was held in Toronto on September 28 and 29, co-chaired by Canada, Ukraine and Norway. Its focus extended beyond securing the return of children, detained civilians and prisoners of war to the longer process that follows their return, including rehabilitation, psychological support and reintegration