Held under the patronage of
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice-President, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai 

 

Our aid has humanitarian objectives only; it nerver governed by politics or limited by the geography, race, color or religion of the beneficiary. We provide humanitarian capital and are a major relief station for the poor; we do not hesitate to help and support the brother, the ill-fated friend or the needy whenever they are. This is our message to the world, and this is the United Arab Emirates.

DUBAI: THE GLOBAL HUB FOR RELIEF IN MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

Dubai today is the biggest hub for global humanitarian relief, with a unique capability to deliver humanitarian aid. The International Humanitarian City is strategically located at the crossroads of Africa, Europe and Asia and offers seamless infrastructure to provide rapid emergency response to the world’s major crisis areas.

Dubai facilitates global aid and development by providing key humanitarian organisations with facilities, logistics and services specifically designed to meet their needs — all grouped in a dedicated environment known as the International Humanitarian City (IHC). IHC was founded in 2003 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

Based in Dubai, IHC is the largest humanitarian hub in the world with the most diverse members (81 Total Number of Members, 63 Humanitarian Organisations and 18 Commercial Companies as of January 2019). It plays a pivotal role in facilitating first responses to crises at a global level efficiently. IHC has a strategic location allowing rapid relief to be within reach in all corners of the world.

“HAPPENING ANNUALLY IN DUBAI, DIHAD CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION SERVES THE INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AID AND DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA AND THE WORLD.”
DIHAD brings together key decision-makers from leading NGOs, UN Agencies, Charity Organisations and governmental bodies, together with aid, education and construction providers from the private sector to address the needs of the people and countries affected by crises, disasters and natural calamities.

The previous editions of DIHAD were graced by the presence of H.E. Mr Antonio Vitorino, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), H.E. Mr. Pierre Kraehenbuhl, Commissioner-General, United Nations Relief & Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA); H.E. Ms Helle Thorning-Schmidt, CEO of Save the Children International, and former Prime Minister of Denmark; H.E. Ms. Helen Clark, then Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); H.E Mr. Elhadj As Sy, Secretary General, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); H.E. Mr. William Lacy Swing, then Director General, International Organization for Migration (IOM); H.E. Ms. Ertharin Cousin, then Executive Director of World Food Programme (WFP); H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, then United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; Baroness Valerie Amos, then United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator; Sir Bob Geldoff, and many others.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF DIHAD

On behalf of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian & Charity Est., it gives me the honour to invite you to participate in the 17th edition of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development Conference & Exhibition – DIHAD 2020 to be held in Dubai from March 10-12, 2020.

As an active charity foundation in the UAE, we are proud to support DIHAD in all its activities where we can grow and share experiences with the regional and international humanitarian community.

With a world blighted by suffering and poverty, we wish to further facilitate the work of local and regional humanitarian actors to meet with the ultimate goal of reducing suffering around the world.

H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Bumelha
Cultural and Humanitarian Advisor of – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice President – Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Est.
Chairman of the Higher Committee – DIHAD
Chairman of DISAB

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF DIHAD

Ever since its inception in 2004 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition – DIHAD has proudly embarked on a humanitarian journey – making a real difference on people’s lives and promoting UAE’s standing as a global leader in the field of humanitarian aid and development.

While many countries in Africa continue to face major challenges from violent conflicts, poverty, unemployment and negative effects of climate change, there has never been a more conducive time to focus our attention on the humanitarian response to such crises and explore viable solutions to tackle these issues. Therefore, I am extremely delighted to announce that the 17th edition of DIHAD will be held this year under the theme ‘Aid: a focus on Africa’ where we will shed light on ‘Africa’ – a continent which is a global hub for the largest aid and development organizations in the world.

The UAE leaders and its people have always been known for their generous humanitarian work, as the country believes that goodness is greater when its wider and more comprehensive. Thus, at DIHAD, we aim to establish an ideal platform to address the most pressing needs of people living in oppression in many African countries, while attracting local and international assistance programs and awareness campaigns by leading aid organizations to achieve prosperity in the ‘humanitarian continent’.

In order to achieve this, DIHAD 2020 will bring together this year the biggest donors, concerned actors, major UAE based charities and foundations like Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian & Charity Establishment, Red Crescent and Red Cross Movements, UN Agencies, NGOs, IMF, OECD and other entities to further explore the most urgent needs of people facing huge humanitarian challenges in Africa and to benefit from their experiences and expertise in different fields.

On this occasion, I would like to thank all our strategic partners, key stakeholders, leading UN bodies, speakers, experts and exhibitors for their continuous support and contribution over the last years and sincerely hope that DIHAD 2020 will play a key role in fulfilling their core objectives in serving the needs and challenges of people in need.

I look forward to seeing you all in DIHAD 2020 and hope you enjoy your stay in our beloved country- UAE and the beautiful city of Dubai!

Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani
Executive Chairman, DIHAD & DISAB
Goodwill Ambassador – Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM)

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR, DIHAD INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD 

Much has been said and written about the role of Aid in Africa; a variety of recipes and perspectives for the sustainable development of this vast continent, home to some 1.3 billion people, in 54 countries. What has actually been learnt from past successes and failures? And what roles do the volume and type of aid play in Africa’s trajectory towards progress? Financial flows in and out of Africa are a central part of the debate. According to the OECD, Africa receives the lion’s share of Official Development Assistance (ODA) – some 50 billion US dollars or a third of all global ODA (the main donors including the USA, EU institutions, the World Bank and the UAE). There are questions about channels, participation, conditions, priorities, oversight and accountability, inter alia. Do debt payments and so-called « repatriated profits » outweigh incoming aid and remittances? In any case, the debate often remains somewhat theoretical, omitting to address the specificities of individual countries and situations.

Humanitarian aid in the context of conflicts and disasters, to which the continent is much prone, continues to be essential and on the whole effective, even if insufficient. Africa is currently rife with conflicts and these have profound adverse effects on the development of the countries concerned and the region as a whole. They lead to forced migration, long-term refugee situations and internal displacement, the destruction of infrastructure and the deterioration of social, political and economic institutions. In these situations, some seemingly endless, aid is mostly basic and aimed at the victims of war. Assistance in support of the eradication of poverty, an equitable distribution of resources, the promotion of rule of law and fundamental human rights, education and employment is very much beyond the immediate horizon.

Then there is climate change, and its repercussions on the African continent. These range from extreme heat events and increasing aridity to changes in rainfall patterns and floods; a higher frequency and a greater impact of a variety of weather-related disasters for which few nations are adequately prepared. Already high rates of undernutrition can be expected to increase and agricultural livelihoods to be adversely affected, thereby accelerating the already significant urbanization trend in the region.

Africa’s population has more than trebled since 1960, with a current annual growth rate of some 2.5%. Looking at the very rapidly expanding size of the continent’s cities, it is no surprise to learn that 41% of Africa’s population is urban. Nigeria is by far the largest country in terms of population, currently estimated to be close to 200 million. Ethiopia follows, with a population of some 110 million, after which come Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, South Africa and Kenya, all with populations well in excess of 50 million. Some predict that the continent’s population will total 2.4 billion in 2050.

Africa is rich in natural resources and, possibly for that reason, the world’s fastest growing region in terms of foreign direct investment. North Africa has vast oil and natural gas deposits; the Sahara and sub-saharan Africa hold a wealth of strategic ores and metals, including gold, silver, nickel, copper, uranium, titanium and platinum, as well as diamonds. The income derived from these resources should of course benefit the countries in which these are located.

Then there is land, and lots of it. But there is a rapid conversion of forest to agricultural land, problems of land use and ownership, issues of water resources management, competition between pastoralists and farmers, environmental and wildlife preservation concerns (involving also tourism, in some countries a sizeable source of revenue): all complex inter-related problems requiring enlightened oversight and, often, complementary expertise and resources available through aid.

The issue of African land being sold or leased to countries outside of the region for their own food and biofuel requirements is increasingly receiving international attention. Some 20 countries in Africa have reportedly sold or leased large areas of land, often with little consultation and to the detriment of local communities. And, as foreign investors acquire land, they subsequently also lay claim to already scarce water resources, again to the detriment of indigenous inhabitants.

With regard to health, and while acknowledging that Africa confronts a dramatic public health crisis, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is hopeful that, over time and with adequate support, the challenges in question can be duly addressed. While right now Ebola is in the limelight, WHO’s most recent regional health report confirms that HIV/AIDS continues to devastate the region (which has 60% of those suffering from HIV/AIDS globally). More than 90% of the estimated 300-500 million malaria cases worldwide are found in Africa, mainly among children under five years of age. While progress is being made on preventable childhood diseases such as measles, the rate of maternal and newborn mortality remains high. Life-threatening communicable diseases, coupled with the rising rates of non-communicable diseases (such as hypertension and diabetes) constitute an increasingly heavy strain on Africa’s health systems.

In terms of Africa’s future prospects, and the SDGs closely-linked thereto, it is clear that employment and economic growth (SDG 8) is a priority across the continent. That said, « zero hunger », « good health », « peace », « no poverty », « education », « clean water and sanitation », and « industry, innovation and infrastructure » are all agreed-upon « musts ». What does the road towards these goals look like and how should aid to Africa contribute towards sustainable development? The political structure and the concomitant leadership culture in each country are likely to play an important role in regard to the effectiveness of external assistance provided in support of national development objectives.

These topics and questions have led the DIHAD International Scientific Board (DISAB) to decide that the next DIHAD event (10-12 March 2020) should be dedicated entirely to Africa. Being aware however of the countless other fora dealing in much greater depth with Africa’s individual challenges, it is planned for the Conference to focus on practical aspects of selected areas of concern, thereby exchanging views, reviewing past experience, identifying best practices and – hopefully – contributing constructively to a more effective global approach towards and within the continent in question.

We will again gather friends and colleagues from national government authorities, international and non-governmental organisations, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, foundations and charities, academic institutions, the media and the private sector; many will be from Africa. Moreover we will, as always, promote new partnerships among participants as well as support the strengthening of existing collaborative arrangements; this for the benefit of those we are collectively dedicated to assist in our respective aid-oriented endeavours.

The DIHAD 2020 Conference Programme will review, duly focusing on Africa, the impact of conflicts and humanitarian crises; the impact of climate change; population growth, education and employment; aid flows, trade and economic growth; natural resources, water, energy and land; health challenges and, as a Special Session, African futures, the SDGs and beyond… As in previous editions, we will duly attempt to come up with a number of actionable agreed conclusions and recommendations.

On behalf of DIHAD’s International Scientific Advisory Board (DISAB), I am very pleased to invite you to attend the event’s 17th edition. We much look forward to welcoming you and to thank, on that occasion, all who actively contribute to the acknowledged success of the Conference, the pre-Conference Workshop and the Exhibition.

This unique event, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime-Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, highlights year after year different aspects of our collective humanitarian aid and development endeavours. Moreover, the selected theme and related presentations, as well as the interaction that takes place both at the event and in the margins thereof, continue to enhance the knowledge that humanitarian and development actors have about each other, thereby ensuring greater clarity in regard to respective roles, capacities and mandates and further reinforcing the notion of effective coordinated action.

DIHAD 2020 promises to be, yet again, a landmark event!

H.E. Amb. Gerhard Putman-Cramer
Director, DIHAD International Scientific Advisory Board – DISAB