Dubai Aid City receives fantastic response from DIHAD 2005

With a mandate to integrate local expertise with international knowledge, more than 12 non government organizations and UN agencies have joined hands to collaborate and develop sustainable humanitarian solutions.

Commenting on the occasion, Barbara Castek, Head of Dubai Aid City said: "DIHAD has proven to be an effective platform to establish Dubai as a global humanitarian hub. We have had several senior level meetings and excellent interaction with more than 100 visitors from key UN organizations."

The three day exhibition also featured seminar sessions on topics such as Challenges of Ongoing Crises, Advances in the Fight against Malaria, Emergency Response and Disaster Management, Mobilisations of Resources and Procurement of Humanitarian Aid.

Altaf S. Musani, Regional Advisor, Emergency and Humanitarian Action, World Health Organization, said, "As the regional office of WHO in Cairo, we cover 22 countries in the Middle East. At an international level, there are several global initiatives that bring together humanitarian partners for effective networking. But there is a lack of similar platforms in the Middle East, and DIHAD facility fills this gap to a large extent. Moreover it has proved to be a positive platform to understand the trends in humanitarian response both within and outside the region, and address the requirements of various stakeholders that impact our operations in this region."

The relationship between Dubai Aid City and the integrated community that caters to the relief aid community is taking a major leap forward. With NGOs such as UAE Red Crescent, Bait Al Khair, Empowerment Sharjah Social Foundation, Human Appeal International, Al Khairia Organization Fujairah and UN Agencies such as UNICEF, UNHCR, World Health Organization, World Food Programme and International Federation of Red Cross; DAC today has assumed the role of a facilitator for the benefit of international, regional and local humanitarian and development organizations, donors and suppliers.

Mr. Tarek Shayya, Regional Donor Relations Officer, WFP said: "As the first humanitarian agency to set up in Dubai, WFP was able to see Dubai becoming a major international humanitarian hub, thanks to the commitment and vision of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defense. DIHAD in its second year is a critical component of the humanitarian role of Dubai and we are proud to be associated with this event."

DIHAD is made up of two main sections: the conference and exhibition. The exhibition deals with the purchase and supply of relief goods and services. Suppliers of items such as security services, logistics, tents, medical units, all terrain vehicles, grains, and edible oils meet purchasing officials from the United Nations and the world's leading NGOs.

As the only event of its kind in the Middle East, DIHAD has successfully laid the foundations for an event which addresses the needs of various humanitarian actors. Rapidly becoming the humanitarian hub of the Middle East, Dubai's safety, proximity to the most severe humanitarian crises in the world, efficient logistics and specialized facilities for humanitarian aid agencies, enabling and supportive government, and access to resources have been the main reasons why such a specialized event has succeeded.

Established under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defense - DIHAD 2005 is being held for the second time from April 5-7, 2005 at the Dubai International Convention Centre.