Beyond the World Cup: the al-Thumama Complex in Qatar and its new role in humanitarian assistance

When Qatar developed the al-Thumama Complex for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the primary goal was to provide comfortable accommodation for fans from around the world. Designed with a blend of functional elements and local architectural style, it reflected Qatar’s commitment to building versatile infrastructure, though it was not without controversy and ongoing debates regarding the migrant worker deaths that occurred while the complex was being built. Yet, as the tournament ended and the global spotlight moved on, it was not foreseen that this residential complex would serve a completely different purpose, which it has now undertaken for more than a year.

In the aftermath of the World Cup, the al-Thumama Complex transformed into emergency housing for evacuees from Gaza, amid the Israeli war and ongoing bombardment that left widespread destruction. The initiative, emerging from humanitarian negotiations in which Qatar played a central role alongside Egypt, ‘aimed to sponsor 3,000 orphans and provide medical care for 1,500 injured Palestinians’. Since its launch on 3 December 2023, Qatar has evacuated more than 500 wounded individuals, over 800 companions and 700 special cases. Alongside Qatar’s efforts, 5,500 Palestinians were evacuated to Egypt for treatment, while approximately 100 others received specialised care in the United Arab Emirates. Those relocated to Qatar now reside in the al-Thumama Complex, located in the south of the capital, where injured individuals continue to receive treatment at various hospitals across the country.

This facility has become a part of Qatar’s broader humanitarian strategy, providing daily support to evacuees from a war-torn region. Recently – before the resumption of Israeli bombardment – a temporary ceasefire was reached. Although human suffering persisted throughout, the truce provided an opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned during the conflict, particularly from the few initiatives that went beyond the humanitarian negotiation stage. These reflections can guide future strategies, and the example of repurposing sports infrastructure highlights the sustainable potential of facilities built for global events to play essential roles in times of crisis.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, similar examples emerged as sports venues were utilised to meet humanitarian needs, particularly in responding to the health crisis. For instance, Brazil’s Maracanã Stadium, a historic football venue, was transformed into a field hospital to treat Covid-19 patients. Likewise, Japan converted parts of the Tokyo 2020 Athletes’ Village into healthcare and housing facilities, showcasing the adaptability of sports venues to support public health and humanitarian needs. This was part of a broader phenomenon observed in many countries, where large facilities such as hotels and schools were temporarily converted to meet urgent health needs during the pandemic.

It is also worth noting that Qatar made ambitious commitments upon winning the bid to host the World Cup, pledging to make FIFA Qatar 2022 the most sustainable in the history of the game as an ongoing legacy for the tournament.

Political implications and global influence

This humanitarian approach not only impacts evacuees directly but also has broader implications for Qatar’s regional and global influence. The repurposing of al-Thumama reflects a combination of humanitarian commitment and strategic diplomacy, as Qatar continues to position itself as a key player in mediation and aid initiatives. This initiative offers an example of how investments in global events can be leveraged to achieve broader humanitarian and diplomatic objectives.

In the complex political landscape of the Middle East, this humanitarian response is consistent with Qatar’s broader soft-power strategy and conflict mediation efforts, distinguishing it from other Gulf states. Studies have explored how Qatar has strategically invested in humanitarian aid across the Middle East, using its resources to strengthen diplomatic relations and stabilise ties with conflict-affected countries. This approach is part of Qatar’s ongoing efforts to enhance its influence through targeted humanitarian and development initiatives in places like Syria, Yemen and Palestine, where crises have significantly impacted civilian populations. Despite the state’s diplomatic strategy, which places international cooperation at the centre of its global policy, Qatari officials have also highlighted ethical, moral and religious motivations behind these initiatives, as expressed in both public and private statements.

Social integration and long-term impact

Despite the noble humanitarian impact and the urgent assistance provided to the initiative participants at al-Thumama, the future of Gaza evacuees remains a pressing issue. Although evacuees have complete freedom of movement within the country and are not confined to the complex as a temporary closed camp, questions about their integration or potential return continue to surface.

Studies indicate that successful integration – even if not permanent – requires a focus on community-building initiatives and access to social services. For example, research shows that active community engagement and collaboration with social services, to balance personal and community needs, is a key factor for the successful integration of displaced populations. Moreover, social workers play a pivotal role in shaping community perceptions about refugees and managing integration challenges, suggesting that pre-arrival community engagement can foster more supportive environments. Studies on social cohesion underscore the need for targeted support, such as economic assistance and basic services, to mitigate tensions that may arise.

Through close engagement and observations, it seems that al-Thumama complex, and the people involved in its management and support, strive to address these challenges through various initiatives, some of which may offer valuable insights for other contexts in terms of social and community support mechanisms. While the state authorities have provided all the essentials for the residents, including services, specialists and material resources, the al-Thumama Complex administration – cooperating with government agencies and Qatari charitable organisations – provides necessary medical care, counselling and educational resources, with children attending the Palestinian School in Qatar. So far, many evacuees have been participating in workshops and therapeutic activities. Additionally, various Qatari community groups, governmental and semi-governmental institutions are making notable contributions by organising social, educational, sports, and entertainment activities involving diverse evacuee groups. Many of these initiatives blend Qatari and Palestinian cultural aspects to foster further integration. Volunteers from different segments of Qatari society actively participate in these efforts. Nonetheless, the challenge of full integration or future alternative plans require continuous attention, especially considering that some family members remain in Gaza with no proper housing or other basic necessities, raising complex questions about family futures and reunification.

At the very least, at this stage and until the fate of these evacuees becomes clear, one can say that the fact that this initiative has no significant impact on the daily lives of the local community in Qatar or the services provided to it – both collectively and individually – has meant that the presence and integration of Gaza evacuees in Qatar have not faced opposition from the host society. On the contrary, many in Qatar view this initiative as the least that can be done for Gazans, driven by both Islamic values and Arab traditions. Given the extreme humanitarian hardships Gazan refugees endure and the limited means available to support them, the prevailing public sentiment has been one of solidarity. This communal perspective has allowed the government-led initiative to proceed smoothly without internal friction.

Economic considerations and international cooperation

Economically, the decision to repurpose the al-Thumama Complex represents a substantial investment, encompassing not only initial conversion costs but also ongoing expenses related to maintenance, staffing and provision of essential supplies. Operating a facility of this scale as a humanitarian shelter requires continual resources to ensure adequate healthcare, education and social services for evacuees. However, analyses suggest that the benefits of sustained humanitarian aid can far outweigh initial expenses. Beyond immediate humanitarian relief, this approach – even in a small way – contributes to long-term social stability and fosters goodwill among regional populations and cross-border cooperation. Although Qatari officials may often overlook material returns for such expenses – as a senior official remarked in a personal conversation – these initiatives often yield strategic returns that surpass direct costs, given the broader value of integrating humanitarian projects into national development strategies. This is in addition to the impact of such initiatives on reinforcing the partnerships with international organisations, such as the World Health Organization, whose regional director visited the al-Thumama Complex and made statements that highlight Qatar’s role as an active global humanitarian player.

Conclusion: a lasting legacy

The transformation of al-Thumama from a World Cup venue to a humanitarian shelter exemplifies how the legacy of global events can be extended and deepened over time. While repurposing sports facilities for humanitarian purposes comes with challenges, this model shows immense potential. Ongoing studies, conducted with strict adherence to ethical and humanitarian principles, are currently assessing this experience to draw valuable lessons.

As other nations prepare to host international events, Qatar’s approach at al-Thumama stands as a testament to the enduring impact that infrastructure can have beyond the event itself. By planning for humanitarian applications from the outset, countries can ensure that their investments continue to serve communities well after the last spectator departs. This approach broadens the concept of how the legacy of global events can extend beyond the stadium, highlighting the potential of repurposed infrastructure to serve humanitarian needs. While Qatar’s initiative offers a noteworthy precedent, its long-term impact – both on evacuees and on the broader practice of post-event infrastructure use – will continue to unfold over time.

Mona Hedaya is a Research Fellow at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS).