Reem Al Hashimi attends closure ceremony of DIHAD Conference and Exhibition

The event started on April 7th under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai and in cooperation with Mohammed Bin Rashid AL Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, the United Nations, the UAE Red Crescent Society, MBR and many other international and regional organisations.

For the past three days DIHAD held discussions related to world's key humanitarian and relief topics that the world is facing now. All participated organisations and associations had presented their latest humanitarian activities and future programs.

DIHAD Conference had discussed prominent issues; such as the reconstruction plan for Gaza strip, Food Crisis, Global Economic Crisis, and many other prominent issues that came under the title "Empowering Communities between disaster and development".

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State and Chairperson for Dubai cares attended the closing ceremony.

She said:

"Platforms such as DIHAD are of utmost importance as they bring together humanitarian and developments organisations and aid donors to address global issues."

She also said, "Dubai cares programs address a full value chain of education that includes assistance in the areas of water and, health and nutrition, infrastructure, and quality of education. Dubai Cares helps to reduce and eliminate underline causes that prevent children access to quality primary education and is providing individuals the tools to overcome both personal and social challenges."

She continued, "Dubai Cares signifies our nation's commitment to utilise its resource to create good will around the world working with international organisations to find permanent solutions to current and global issues."

Mr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Executive Chairman of DIHAD and president of Index holding, announced that the number of visitors and participants reached up to 7000 thousand during the past three days.

He also said, "DIHAD succeeded on its sixth edition to fulfil its Nobel goals with the participation of world's top humanitarian speakers, organisations, associations and participants who gathered in Dubai for the past three days."

He also announced that DIHAD 2010 will take place from 4 - 6 of april 2010 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The International Scientific Advisory Board announced the recommendations of DIHAD 2009 as follows:
• Larger global trends need to come from, and be pursued within, the domains of international socio-economic and monetary policy setting, as well as through innovative energy and environmental approaches.
• Humanitarian and development agencies must contribute in adopting creative and innovative concepts that take into account the diverse and inter-linked causes of human distress and suffering in the 21st century.
• We need to work hard on placing communities truly at the heart of preparedness, response, and recovery effort.
• Communities should be directly involved in program development.
• The Conference encourage working on bridge building efforts between the humanitarian assistance and development communities.
• Adopting other partnership initiatives, involving standard setting and linkages with Civil Defense and Military entities.
• There is a need for constant innovation and changes, with a view to support affected communities in the most appropriate, effective and efficient manner in all present and future efforts to prevent, respond to and recover from disasters.