Dubai - MENA Herald: Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD) starts Monday 21st of March, 2016, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The 13th edition of DIHAD will be under the theme: “The Importance Of Innovation In Humanitarian Aid and Development”, as innovation has become a cornerstone and a must, especially in light of the increasing global humanitarian crises and complexity. The theme sheds more light on the finite resources available to respond to these pressing crises, and the unprecedented pressures facing those in charge of responding to crises and emergencies in the world, with the demands of responding to new situations tending to overshadow on-going crises.
Amb. Gerhard J.W. Putman-Cramer, Director of DIHAD's International Scientific Advisory Board (DISAB) said: “DIHAD Conference takes ‘Innovation in Humanitarian Aid and Development’ as the theme of its 13th edition. We will review how innovative solutions are proposed and actually applied in humanitarian operations today, thereby looking inter alia at food security, nutrition, water and sanitation, emergency healthcare, transport, logistics and shelter. We will also look at proposed innovative solutions in the application of international humanitarian law in today’s conflicts, environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and selected activities included in development programmes.”
Amb. Gerhard Cramer continued on saying: “This year, the 3rd day of the DIHAD Conference will also host a special session that will address the topic of leadership, with the help of our outstanding speakers and panelists. The importance of leadership cannot be over-estimated and without which innovation remains a series of good ideas.”
DIHAD Exhibition hosts this year 410 specialized companies coming from 70 countries, in addition to a number of local and international notable and prominent world-class figures in the humanitarian field. On the other hand, the conference hosts a number of specialized sessions and workshops that will discuss the importance of innovation in responding to the humanitarian crises.
The conference topics will vary including: Addressing vulnerability through an innovative, joint, humanitarian assistance and development approach, and Innovation and Humanitarian Aid: Innovative approaches to ensure food security in humanitarian assistance settings. It will also discuss Innovative approaches; humanitarian assistance in conflict zones, and the application of International Humanitarian Law - and International Human Rights Law - in today’s conflicts.
The conference will also host a session about Partnerships for innovation, Innovation and Development: Ensuring innovation is both sustainable and responding to genuine needs - Building resilient communities through the pursuit of SDG and DRR objectives, and lastly Leadership, as important in humanitarian aid and development as coordination.
DIHAD conference and exhibition strives to initiate humanitarian relief and development activities and to coordinate the stances and joint programs in order to alleviate the suffering caused by natural disasters, conflicts and wars. This event works on revolutionizing humanitarian efforts through significant partnerships and key discussions in an attempt to arrive to a number of constructive conclusions. DIHAD enjoys every year the attendance of a large number of local and international key figures, accompanied by important institutions in the field of humanitarian relief and development.
DIHAD is organized by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions - member of INDEX Holding and supported by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Est, the United Nations, the UAE Red Crescent Authority, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, International Humanitarian City, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai and Dubai Cares. DIHAD 2016 is also sponsored by Al Khair Foundation & IQRA TV.
