The International Humanitarian City supports DIHAD 2010

The Emirate of Dubai is to host for the 7th year the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD 2010) which is a key platform that provides solutions to communities affected by disasters and crises and help them to face the challenges and start planning for development.

Held under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, DIHAD has become the largest humanitarian event in the Middle East, and it is to get underway on the 4th of April 2010 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, and continues for three days.

DIHAD acts as a strategic meeting point for key players who convene in Dubai to share their knowledge on disaster response to all crisis and catastrophes facing the world in general, and continues to build bridges between various humanitarians actors from different parts of the world. Every year key decision makers, procurement and logistics officials from leading international, regional & local NGOs, UN Agencies, Governmental Departments and international associations, specialists in the humanitarian industry, humanitarian individuals, researchers and Academics come from all parts of the world to benefit from the conference and the interactive sessions.

DIHAD Conference and Exhibition is organised by Index Conferences and Exhibitions - member of Index Holding, and supported by key local and international humanitarian organisations such as the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian & Charity Est., United Nations, UAE Red Crescent, Organization of the Islamic Conference and Dubai Cares. And with the ultimate reputation gained locally and globally, the International Humanitarian City (IHC) decided to serve as a platinum sponsor for DIHAD 2010.

By sharing the same goals, the IHC decided to voice their support for the largest humanitarian event in the Middle East, and join their efforts towards eradicating extreme poverty and hunger and improving education, health and life style of unfortunate people in the world.

Makiya Al Hajiri, CEO of the International Humanitarian City said:

"the objectives and vision of DIHAD coincide with those of IHC, with an ultimate goal to make Dubai and the UAE a bridge between the 'East' and the 'West' and provide humanitarian actors with a place to network, learn and operate from. Our sponsorship for the event is a recognition of DIHAD's role in promoting humanitarian efforts."

"We believe that the collaboration between the two key organizations in the field of humanity is a progress by itself. Both DIHAD and IHC will be able to provide a foundation for exchange of knowledge and experience among key humanitarian stakeholders, provide operational support and supply services related to the humanitarian assistance domain and above all capitalize on the unique and strategic location that Dubai offers which allows a quicker response rate to disaster locations". Stated Makiya

Makiya also said; "we look forward to our participation in DIHAD 2010 and we are definite that we are going to meet and network with local, regional and international humanitarian organizations to create awareness about the resources available in Dubai, and attract new members to set up operations within IHC. We also hope to take advantage of the new trends and information that will be presented at the conference and exhibition".

Abdul Salam al Madani Executive chairman of DIHAD Conference and Exhibition and President of Index Holding said "DIHAD is privileged by the attendance of key decision makers, procurement and logistics officials from leading international, regional & local NGOs, UN Agencies, Governmental Departments and international associations, specialists in the humanitarian industry, humanitarian individuals, researchers and Academics who come from all parts of the world to contribute with their expertise and knowledge to help those in need."

AL Madani also said that:

"Since its inception, DIHAD has been an invaluable platform where assistance providers can interface with relevant actors from the corporate and governmental sectors, to collaborate, share knowledge and network with each other effectively."

"This support underlines the UAE's major role and commitment to the world's major humanitarian challenges, and corresponds with the time where the natural and environmental disasters are accelerating, leaving millions of people with no food or shelter." Added AL Madani

DIHAD 2009 was graced by the presence of several key International Humanitarian executives and leaders in the 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, H.E Ambassador Atta Almanan Bakhit Assistant Secretary General for International Cooperation and humanitarian Affairs, organisation of the Islamic Conference, and celebrity football player Clarence Seedorf.