WFP to participate at International Humanitarian Aid & Development conference

During his trip to the UAE, from 6 to 10 April, the Deputy Executive Director will also hold talks with senior officials in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on the challenges of delivering food assistance amid rising food and fuel prices.

At DIHAD, Powell will unveil, at a press conference at 12:30 on 8 April, the world's first humanitarian video game in Arabic - an action-packed educational game about hunger and the importance of humanitarian aid work. The game entitled, "Food Force", will be presented under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai.

The Deputy Executive Director will participate in a panel on 9 April on, "The Future of Food: Prospects and Challenges".

WFP will also be represented at DIHAD by staff from the Programme's operation in Dubai.

In 2003, WFP established an emergency preparedness and response base in the Emirate, providing a range of innovative humanitarian support services.

These include emergency IT and telecommunications support, comprehensive goods and services procurement, warehousing and stock management, and light vehicle leasing for the whole of WFP.

Dubai also serves as one of the principle hubs for the UN Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) Network.

This WFP-managed emergency logistics facility delivers humanitarian relief items worldwide within 24 to 48 hours.

The Network provides storage, logistics support and services to UN agencies, international humanitarian organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, thus reinforcing capacity for humanitarian emergency response. The Government of Dubai has been the largest donor for UNHRD's establishment, contributing $5m.