Under the patronage UN Messenger of Peace and Chairperson of the International Humanitarian City (IHC) HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the IHC, with the support of its partners and key Dubai organizations, will celebrate the United Nation’s World Humanitarian Day in Dubai on Sunday, August 19, 2012.
Created in 2008, World Humanitarian Day raises awareness of humanitarian assistance around the world, and those who risk their lives to provide it. Set to be one of the largest United Nations public outreach initiatives in history. This year’s World Humanitarian Day will feature a performance by one of the world’s top musical artists, simulcasting cities around the world and online through social media platforms. With the theme “People Helping People”, the United Nation’s annual World Humanitarian Day aims to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who provide unconditional support and contributions for those in need.
Her Excellency Shaima Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer of the IHC said: “The IHC has partnered with several key organisations to host the event in Dubai alongside the UN in New York and Geneva, joining efforts to raise awareness for humanitarian causes. Our beloved country’s leaders and their unlimited care towards humanity has always been the motive for the IHC to become the biggest global humanitarian and aid hub, which aims to facilitate aid and development efforts by putting the UAE and Dubai’s strengths in infrastructure and logistics to support humanitarian actors worldwide. The IHC appreciates Emaar Properties PJSC, Dubai Media Incorporated and the 2020 World Expo for helping make World Humanitarian Day 2012 in Dubai a success”.
Dubai, alongside New York and Geneva, is an ideal location to raise awareness for Humanitarian causes. Taking place at one of Dubai’s most iconic venues, the World Humanitarian Day event will be held at the Burj Steps in Downtown Dubai. The simulcast will begin at 7pm with a live projection screening at Dubai Mall showcasing humanitarian efforts across the globe, along with a prerecorded performance by American recording artist Beyonce, who will sing “I was here” – a song dedicated to the World Humanitarian Day initiative.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, said: “As one of the world’s three strategic hubs for distributing humanitarian assistance, Dubai’s position in the world is increasingly vital. Thanks to our strategic location and seamless logistics infrastructure, humanitarian aid is quickly and efficiently distributed around the world from Dubai. On behalf of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, we are very pleased to partner with the UN and International Humanitarian City to raise awareness for humanitarian assistance and to show our appreciation to people who risk their lives to see it delivered.”
Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director, Emaar Properties, said: “Dubai has established a strong imprint globally for its charity initiatives and is today one of the largest providers of global aid. Emaar is honored to support World Humanitarian Day, in collaboration with the United Nations and the International Humanitarian City, an enriching initiative that allows all of us to become partners in the global drive to address the pressing concerns faced by the less privileged.”
Sarah Al Jarman, General Manager of Dubai One TV, which is partnering with IHC, said: “Dubai One is glad to be partnering with IHC on World Humanitarian Day. It supports and appreciates all humanitarian causes and efforts as part of its social responsibility and public service’s main objective. We acknowledge that the role of media is to entertain and educate but most importantly become a platform to create awareness and inform the audience about philanthropy regionally and globally. WHD exemplifies this duty where we hope to draw attention to its main message with the highest viewership possible.”
“Every day we see images and hear stories of human pain and suffering, from here in our own neighborhoods to countries far away,” said Mr. Khaled Khalifa, Head – Gulf Office United Nations, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), We can all do something about it.