UAE: Dihad participants say focus on partnerships, collaborations critical to humanitarian work – News

Attending officials underscore UAE’s commitment to supporting humanitarian missions around the world

Attendees at the opening of the Die Hard Conference and Exhibition in Dubai. – Photos provided

Fostering partnerships is one of the most important factors for success in the humanitarian field, according to participants at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development (Dihad) Conference and Exhibition.

“Dihad represents 19 years of achievement for humanity, for the people, for everyone. There are over 828 organizations that are part of Dihad – they can be an organisation, a foundation, a university, continuing education, a We are delighted with this achievement and we look forward to next year,” said Dr Abdul Salam Al Madani, Ambassador-at-Large for the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly of the GCC, Chairman of the Dihad Sustainable Humanitarian Foundation and Chairman of Index Holding.

During the opening ceremony, he highlighted the UAE’s commitment to supporting humanitarian missions around the world. “Through international cooperation, we seek to support humanity in maintaining sustainable economies and livelihoods. This year’s edition will highlight the importance of energy and aid,” he said.

Giuseppe Saba, chief executive of International Humanitarian City (IHC), emphasized the importance of the partnership, saying that while they did bring 20 years of experience in the humanitarian field to Diehard, the They are looking ahead and how best to serve those in need over the next decade. “How can we make better use of partnerships, how can we involve the private sector more and more? Humanitarian action is not just the property of organizations like the United Nations. The private sector is increasingly involved because cooperation requires Bear the costs and the needs,” he explained, adding, “We need to work together.”

Giuseppe said IHC is an expression of partnership. “At this meeting, we want to strengthen our partnerships with the private sector. Those with technology, innovation and manufacturers of humanitarian aid – those that are sustainable and don’t cause additional environmental problems. Partnerships is the point,” he said, adding that they are also developing partnerships with academic institutions. “We need to know how to work together … all of us, this is the future.”

Danah Dajani, partner and program director at the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation, which manages the Abdulaziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, said being strategic in philanthropy and partnerships was key. “It’s all about strategic philanthropy and how to innovate in terms of resources. The fund was created to look at philanthropy strategically. We supported 20 local organizations and we helped 62,000 people so we achieved our goal , which was our original goal when we launched in 2018 to help 20,000 refugees,” she said.

They are able to do this by working with other like-minded donors on the ground to leverage resources to support refugee education. “It’s not just about one person or one foundation, it’s about the cause and how we can come together in a transparent, cost-effective and accountable way to maximize the impact of outreach,” she said, adding , it is also important to focus on what happens after the emergency. “There are many innovative ways to support humanitarian challenges, not through short-term philanthropy, but by planning for the future.”

The 19th Dihad, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and hosted by Hashir bin Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Media Corporation Opened by Tum bin Juma Al Maktoum, it will run until March 15 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Held under the theme ‘Energy and Aid: Harnessing Available Resources’, it brought together key decision-makers from leading NGOs, UN agencies, philanthropic organizations and government agencies, as well as aid, education and construction providers from the private sector to Address the needs of people and countries affected by crises, disasters and natural disasters.

“Giving is part of human nature, as human beings are social beings by nature, living and interacting with others,” said Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, in her opening address. She praised the “Mother of the Nation” Sheikha Fa Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak for her humanitarian efforts and example, saying: “She was blessed with a big heart and a soul that yearned to give.”

Dr Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani, director general of Dubai’s Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities, said this year’s conference aimed to shed light on energy and international relief aid issues, as well as supply chains and logistics in the humanitarian sector. “We will discuss the challenges of these issues at the meeting, and also explore how to use the resources available at all levels to provide the necessary solutions,” he said.

In his opening address, Gerhard Putman-Cramer, CEO of the Diehard Sustainable Humanitarian Foundation, said: “We will focus on and outline basic facts and Data: Why energy is in our ‘Saving Lives and Livelihoods’ mission and our pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, we are ready to review our agreed norms and principles and the key challenges to our action on the ground.”

Emphasizing the responsibility facing international humanitarian organizations, Dr Hamdan Al Mazrouie, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Red Crescent, said: “Our humanitarian and moral commitment to the victims of disasters places us with a great challenge and responsibility to end human suffering. We Value and support this edition of Dihad as we have a platform through which we can discuss fundamental issues related to energy and aid, and how we can benefit from available resources.”

In his speech, Michael Koehler, Director-General of the European Commission’s Civil Defense and Humanitarian Aid Operations Department, explained how Jihad 2023 is taking place at a time when many people around the world are facing dire living conditions. “Nearly 103 million people are now displaced. Humanitarian needs will hit another record high this year, with 339 million people in need of assistance and protection. The UN estimates that $51.5 billion is needed to meet the needs of the 230 million people most in need.”

Ramesh Rajasingham delivered another important speech at the opening session on behalf of Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. He commended the UAE’s steadfast commitment to serving those in need, providing over US$1 billion in humanitarian aid in the past three years alone.

After discussing the recent devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, Rajasingham said: “The global humanitarian system has never been more strained. Events like Dihad can help expand the minds of some of the world’s leading aid practitioners. We are Together, we will seek new ways to drive innovation in our global humanitarian response.”