Over 50 Experts And World Leaders In Humanitarian Aid Meet At ‘DIHAD 2020’ Next March

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and the supervision and support of Dubai Future Council on Humanitarian Aid, the 17th edition of Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition – DIHAD, the leading humanitarian gathering in the region, will be held from the 10th to the 12th of March, 2020 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Running under the theme ‘Aid, a focus on Africa’, DIHAD 2020 aims to highlight the most critical challenges facing people in Africa while also addressing the needs of humanitarian aid workers working in trying conditions in the ‘humanitarian continent’.

DIHAD 2020 comes at a time when the vast continent totaling an estimated 1.3 billion people in 54 countries, faces multiple humanitarian challenges including conflicts, disasters, forced migration, refugees crises, undernutrition, climate change and internal displacement, which are having profound adverse impacts on the African continent. With some predicting the continent’s population to reach 2.4 billion by 2050, DIHAD aims to specifically focus on the most important areas of concern in Africa, exchange and review past experiences, explore and identify best practices and focus on a viable approach towards sustainable development of the rich African continent.

This year, DIHAD is expected to attract over 6,000 visitors and participants from over 84 countries over the 3 days. While the conference features the presence of 50 world renowned experts in the field of humanitarian aid who will offer their insights and experiences on the most critical humanitarian challenges in Africa, the premier humanitarian gathering will witness 8 high quality sessions and 14 dedicated workshops about exploring news ways to address the needs of people in dire situations in Africa.

While commenting on the occasion, Ambassador Gerhard J.W. Putman-Cramer, Director of DIHAD and DISAB, said, “Given the number and severity of Africa’s ongoing challenges on the one hand and the continent’s wealth in terms of resources and potential on the other, the DIHAD International Scientific Advisory Board has decided to have the 17th edition of DIHAD highlight selected areas of concern in Africa and review the aid that is brought to bear in attempts to effectively address them. We have included a vast array of partners in the discussions that are to take place during the event, including donors and recipients, aid practitioners and those evaluating the impact of aid, governments, international organizations, specialized agencies, NGOs, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, academics and the private sector.”

He added, “While best practices will be duly identified and recognized, we are hopeful that a number of constructive recommendations will result from our exchanges and that these, once implemented, will indeed have a positive impact.”

In its 17th edition, DIHAD focuses its attention on many topics related to the theme ‘Aid, a focus on Africa’ during a few sessions such as ‘The Impact of Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises’, ‘The Impact of Climate Change’, ‘Population Growth, Urbanization, Education and Employment’, ‘Aid Flows, Remittances, Trade, Investments and Economic Growth’, ‘Shaping African Futures, the SDGs and Beyond’, ‘Natural Resources, Water, Energy, and Land’ and ‘Contemporary and Future Health Challenges’ among a few others.

In addition, DIHAD will present a Pre-Conference Workshop program in collaboration with UNOCHA featuring discussions related to humanitarian aid in Africa such as ‘Overview of Humanitarian Aid in Africa; A Complex Content’, ‘Challenges Facing Humanitarian Aid in Africa’, and ‘Future of Humanitarian Aid in Africa’.

Running parallel to the Conference, the DIHAD Exhibition brings together 640 participating brands including National Government Authorities, International and Non-Governmental Organizations, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, Foundations, Charities, Academic Institutions, Aid & Relief Suppliers, the Media and the Private Sector, who will showcase their latest products and services, breakthrough innovations and technology while also giving them a chance to engage in productive collaborations and expand their businesses in the region.

Moreover, for the first time this year, DIHAD will host the UN Pavilion, where a number of reputed world agencies are participating in the Exhibition such as UNICEF, World Food Program (WFP), UN Women, UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Resource Center (UNDDR), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Population Fund (UNEPA), World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

On the sidelines of the exhibition, more than 65 Buyers coming from leading UN Agencies, Foundations and Charities from different parts of the world will host B2B meetings with the aim of building collaborations and exploring opportunities to expand their footprint in the region.

DIHAD is annually organized by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions – a member of INDEX Holding and the 2020 edition is supported by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, Dubai Future Council on Humanitarian Aid, Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, Emirates Red Crescent, United Nations, Dubai Cares, International Humanitarian City and UNOCHA. The premier humanitarian event is sponsored by King Abdullah Humanitarian Foundation (KAHF), Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department, Pathfinder International and Life for Relief & Development.