The International Humanitarian City (IHC) has voiced its support for the largest humanitarian event in the Middle East, the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD). The conference is an annual event attended by key decision makers, procurement and logistics officials, and humanitarian experts from leading international, regional & local NGOs, UN agencies, and government departments.

IHC will be the platinum sponsor for DIHAD 2010. This support underlines UAE’s major role and commitment to the world’s major humanitarian challenges and its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and improve education, health and life style of unfortunate people in the world, in a time where the natural and environmental disasters are accelerating, leaving millions of people with no food or shelter.

Ms. Makiya Al Hajiri, CEO of the International Humanitarian City said, “The objectives and vision of DIHAD coincide with those of IHC, with an ultimate goal to make Dubai and the UAE the bridge that links “East” and “West” and provide humanitarian actors with a place to network, learn and operate from. Our sponsorship for the event is recognition of DIHAD’s role in promoting humanitarian efforts”.

“We believe that both DIHAD and IHC will be able to provide a foundation for exchange of knowledge and experience among key humanitarian stakeholders, provide operational support and supply services related to the humanitarian assistance domain and above all capitalize on the unique and strategic location that Dubai offers which allows a quicker response rate to disaster locations”, stated Ms. Al Hajiri.

She continued, “We look forward to our participation in DIHAD 2010 and we are confident we will make new partnerships, add to our knowledge base and create more awareness about IHC & Dubai’s potential to provide a base for humanitarian relief operations. We also hope to take advantage of the new trends and information that will be presented at the conference and exhibition”.

IHC was established by the Government of Dubai with a vision to facilitate and promote humanitarian aid and development efforts to positively impact lives. It works to provide an environment that fosters partnerships, social responsibility and global change.

With more than 55 organizations on board, ranging from UN agencies, international NGOs and companies supplying aid-related goods and services, IHC is the first humanitarian hub of its kind that enables humanitarian organisations through its global reach, infrastructure and custom designed services to facilitate aid and development efforts across the globe.

IHC also serves as an information centre for concerned members of the community to learn more about humanitarian opportunities and activities in Dubai and the UAE.

The 7th edition of DIHAD will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, from the 4th – 6th of April 2010. For more information about the event, please visit www.dihad.org.