A Switzerland-based charity that fights three of the world’s deadliest communicable diseases has received a $10 million (QR36.4 million) donation from Qatar.

The contribution to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was announced by Qatar’s health minister during a conference in Canada this weekend.

It came as the non-profit announced successfully raising $13 billion over the next three years to fight the diseases, which kill more than 8,000 people a day.

According to QNA, Qatar’s Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari said:

“Fighting TB and providing access to health services to refugees and displaced populations in the Middle East region are an important priority for Qatar.”

Helping Muslim countries

Among the Global Fund’s goals are to provide HIV, TB and malaria services to vulnerable populations. That includes refugees, women, children and others in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen.

The $10 million was Qatar’s first contribution to this specific charity, which is founded in part by Bill and Melinda Gates.

But the country often works closely with Bill Gates on charitable efforts. In April for example, the government pledged $50 million to help the “world’s richest man” fight poverty in poor Muslim countries.

At the time, Gates thanked Qatar for their decade-long relationship.

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