Food crisis, global financial crisis on top of DIHAD's second day agenda

H.E Ibrahim Bumelha, Cultural and Humanitarian Advisor of H. H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Est. said in his speech at the opening ceremony yesterday; "organising DIHAD in Dubai now is an opportunity for all international organisations to meet and consolidate in order to help the global community".He continued

"Global community is facing many challenges at the moment, concerning but not limited to climate change, global financial crisis, food crisis and nature crisis that hits most of the countries around the globe , and does not differentiate between rich and poor country".
"Every one is affected by these violations, therefore we all shall move forward and unite to solve them, by formulating strategic plans and reschedule our efforts to face these challenges "

he continued.

H. E. also mentioned the UAE's strategic location and the world's trust in its capabilities to be the headquarter for hosting such an international forum, and he assured that DIHAD is a unique annual event that provides a helping hand for all unfortunate countries".

He said that the UAE plays a pioneer role in providing assistance and support to all the people around the world, following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to provide a helping hand and try to alleviate the suffering of the affected countries. The UAE is an initiative in regard of development and relief by all means."

H. E. Dr. Bekele Geleta, Secretary General, International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies, Honourable Rudy Salles, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean and Vice-President of the French Parliament (l'Assemblee Nationale), and Dr. Robert Glasser, Secretary General of Care International had a speech at the opening ceremony.

Celebrity football player Clarence Seedorf had a speech in yesterday's opening ceremony, as he came to Dubai specially to participate in DIHAD, he said "DIHAD plays a genuine role and has a positive impact on global communities, we are trying to help children from all over the world to have better life and education".

The second day was entitled "Communities and the Disaster Cycles"; lectures tackled different topics such as Building Community Resilience and capacity for Disaster preparations and response, Climate Change, Food Crisis, and world financial crisis.

Respective speakers participated in the lectures, H. E. Ambassador Atta Almanan Bakhit Assistant Secretary General for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

Al Maktoum Foundation Had a significant participation in DIHAD 2009, Mr. Mira Al Sayegh said; "Al Maktoum Foundation has always provide assistance and support for all communities to help them in time of crisis and wars. We mainly aim to support the education in Africa, as the foundation had set up 40 schools in the African continent, to reduce ignorance with the help of 65 countries. The foundation also contributed in building a mosque in the Netherlands in addition to give support and aid to."

He continued " this is our third participation in DIHAD Conference and Exhibition, we consider it one of the major international events, that serves' our field, and we are proud that the initiative came from Dubai to host this pioneer event. It is a great chance for all humanitarian and aid and relief providers to gather and work hand in hand for a better future".

He added "I request the world to look at Africa; any kind of assistant will be helpful".

H. E. Abbas Gullet, Secretary General of Kenya Red Cross Society said during the case study of community involvement in Emergency preparedness and response: Kenya; " Kenya faces many environmental and social challenges and crisis at the moment, as the country was affected by drought followed by ravaging floods, conflicts and wars. We are working along with KRC association to provide refugee camps, clean water and food".

He also added "through DIHAD, we were able to build communities capabilities and help them to solve the conflicts they are facing additional to teach them to respond quickly during crisis".