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Experts at DIHAD meet for exchange of ideas

DUBAI - Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President Dubai Department of the Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group,

Published: Wed 7 Apr 2004, 12:17 PM

Updated: Fri 19 Jul 2024, 11:40 AM

  • By
  • Mahmoud Ali

Attended the opening ceremony of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Redevelopment Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD) at Dubai International Convention Centre on Tuesday.

Addresing the conference Ibrahim Bu Melha, Vice-President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, said: "The geographical location of Dubai has allowed it to be a link between the East and the West. The participating delegations from the UN will help in providing the best solutions to enhance the quality of this event which will allow the exchange of thoughts and ideas,"

Mr Bu Melha also hoped that the participants would be able to suggest the new developments in emergency and aid programmes, including health and education and develop urban areas using the best technologies.

Walid Harib, Director of the Dubai Aid City, emphasised the importance of building a healthy society as part of Dubai strategic plan.

"Dubai city is the homeland of humanity before it is a city of finance. Our ancestors built it as an oasis for humans, and we will do our utmost to accomplish this project and provide all necessary means and aid for disaster areas," said Mr Harib.

Shaikh Ahmad bin Saeed Al Maktoum opened the exhibition where more than 450 exhibitors from various humanitarian organisations in 57 countries are participating.

Brunson Mckinley, Director General of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), concentrated on the Middle East as an important region in respect of humanitarian needs and the kind of activities the IOM carries out.

"The IOM activities cover the area from Sudan to Pakistan offering a wide range of projects and services in the field of migration as well as for specific emergency, post conflict and relief activities. We work closely with governments, offers a timely humanitarian response to sudden migration flows and implements post emergency return and reintegration programmes," explained Mr Mckinley.

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Abdul Rahman Al Sumait, CEO of Directaid, Kuwait highlighted the humanitarian activities in the African continent and the high rate of not only natural disasters but also human disasters.

He discussed the disadvantages of providing aid in Africa such as weak economic infrastructure, lack of storage places, bad roads, poor and expensive transportation, complicated laws and regulations and several other problems.

"The UAE Red Crescent Authority is a national voluntary authority guided by the basic principles of Red Cross International Movement, to assist the needy without discrimination," said Khalifa Nasser Al Suwedi, Chairman of UAE Red Crescent Authority.

John Powell, Deputy Executive Director of World Food Programme, spoke about global hunger, the World Food Programme in the Middle East, Resources and Inputs, and the World Food Programme and Dubai.

Mr Powell said, "More than 800 million people were suffering from hunger in a world of plenty. The Millennium Development Goal to half the number of hungry by 2015 will not be achieved if current trends continue. In fact the number of hungry has been reduced by only 19 million in the last decade."

William Tiga Tita, CEO of Global Management Consortium, explained the bridging of the digital divide and creating equal opportunities for access to education.



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