Dihad conference 2018 to focus on refugee aid
DUBAI — The 15th edition of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development (Dihad 2018) Conference and Exhibition will launch on Monday.
The first event of its kind in the Middle East, it will be on March 5-7, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Held 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 conference will see over 600 companies from 84 countries participating. Over 15,000 visitors and participants from the region and abroad are also expected to visit.
Ambassador Gerhard PutmanCramer, director of the Dihad International Scientific Advisory Board (Disab), said: “The current state of world affairs, with the rapidly growing number of victims of disasters and crisis, both manmade and natural, cannot continue and call for urgent preventive solutions and strategies.
“According to the United Nations, there were nearly 102 million people in need for humanitarian assistance in 2015, but now recent estimates suggest that the number has grown to 142 million, in over 40 countries. As requirements are outgrowing resources, we need a comprehensive strategy to care of the needy, provide shelter and plan for millions of refugees who are currently inaccessible.”
Dihad and Disab’s executive chairman Dr Abdul Salam Al Madani, added that the former has always been at the forefront of topical humanitarian issues and will continue to do so this year.
This year’s theme is ‘The Sustainability of Emergency Aid: The Intensifying Search for the Appropriate Strategies, Methodologies and Resources to Meet the Global Humanitarian Challenges in the Years Ahead’.
Dihad is organised by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions, supported by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishmen; United Nations; Emirates Red Crescent; Organisation of Islamic Cooperation; International Humanitarian City; General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai; and Dubai Cares. —