Building bridges within the Humanitarian Aid & Development communities
Launched in 2004 as the region’s first ever humanitarian aid and development event, DIHAD has proudly embarked on a humanitarian journey – building bridges in the Humanitarian Aid & Development communities, highlighting the importance of humanitarian issues and addressing them in a way that would help in building a better future for all.
Held annually at the Dubai World Trade Centre, DIHAD provides a platform where assistance providers can interface with relevant actors from the corporate and governmental sectors with a view to creating meaningful synergies in support of those in need.
Over the years, DIHAD has facilitated relationships and contacts for organizations and indeed countries in the region, promoting the creation and strengthening of partnerships, which in turn have enhanced the effective delivery of humanitarian and development aid. DIHAD brings together national government authorities, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, foundations, charities, academic institutions, the media and an increasing number of actors from the private sector. The previous editions were graced by the presence of H.E. Mr. Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); H.E. Mr. Robert Mardini, Director-General, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); H.E. Dr. Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management; H.E. Mr. Antonio Vitorino, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM); H.E. Ms Helle Thorning-Schmidt, CEO of Save the Children International, and former Prime Minister of Denmark; H.E. Mr. Filippo Grandi, then Commissioner-General, UNRWA; H.E. Ms. Helen Clark, then Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); 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. The Conference Programme is elaborated by the DIHAD International Scientific Advisory Board (DISAB), which is comprised of internationally known aid practitioners and decision makers. DIHAD is organized annually by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions Org. LLC – a member of INDEX Holding. The event is under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai; it is supported by the United Nations, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, Dubai Future Council on Humanitarian Aid, UAE Red Crescent Authority, International Humanitarian City and Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment.
