Our Patron
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai.
Who we are?
DIHAD is an annual international Aid & Development conference and exhibition held in Dubai, UAE. DIHAD started in 2004 as the Middle East’s first humanitarian aid and development event. Now in its 17th edition, DIHAD has by far proved to be the ultimate regional event for the exchange of humanitarian ideas, values and practices.
Our Vision
To be a valued contributor to advancing the development of principled and effective international humanitarian and development assistance.
Learn more
Our Mission:
- Transfer and share valuable knowledge through presentations, debates and dialogues
- Showcase new trends in operational support and supply services related to the humanitarian industry
On behalf of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian & Charity Est., it gives me the honour to invite you to participate in the 17th edition of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development Conference & Exhibition.
DIHAD 2020 to be held in Dubai from 10-12 March 2020. As an active charity foundation in the UAE, we are proud to support DIHAD in all its activities where we can grow and share experiences with the regional and international humanitarian community.
With a world blighted by suffering and poverty, we wish to further facilitate the work of local and regional humanitarian actors to meet with the ultimate goal of reducing suffering around the world.
H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Bumelha
Cultural and Humanitarian Advisor of – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice President – Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity
Chairman of the Higher Committee – DIHAD
Chairman of DISAB
Ever since its inception in 2004 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 Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition – DIHAD has proudly embarked on a humanitarian journey – making a real difference on people’s lives and promoting UAE’s standing as a global leader in the field of humanitarian aid and development.
While many countries in Africa continue to face major challenges from violent conflicts, poverty, unemployment and negative effects of climate change, there has never been a more conducive time to focus our attention on the humanitarian response to such crises and explore viable solutions to tackle these issues. Therefore, I am extremely delighted to announce that the 17th edition of DIHAD will be held this year under the theme ‘Aid: a focus on Africa’ where we will shed light on ‘Africa’ – a continent which is a global hub for the largest aid and development organizations in the world.
The UAE leaders and its people have always been known for their generous humanitarian work, as the country believes that goodness is greater when its wider and more comprehensive. Thus, at DIHAD, we aim to establish an ideal platform to address the most pressing needs of people living in oppression in many African countries, while attracting local and international assistance programs and awareness campaigns by leading aid organizations to achieve prosperity in the ‘humanitarian continent’.
In order to achieve this, DIHAD 2020 will bring together this year the biggest donors, concerned actors, major UAE based charities and foundations like Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian & Charity Establishment, Red Crescent and Red Cross Movements, UN Agencies, NGOs, IMF, OECD and other entities to further explore the most urgent needs of people facing huge humanitarian challenges in Africa and to benefit from their experiences and expertise in different fields. >>>Read More
Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani
Executive Chairman, DIHAD & DISAB
Goodwill Ambassador – Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM)
Much has been said and written about the role of Aid in Africa; a variety of recipes and perspectives for the sustainable development of this vast continent, home to some 1.3 billion people, in 54 countries. What has actually been learnt from past successes and failures? And what roles do the volume and type of aid play in Africa’s trajectory towards progress? Financial flows in and out of Africa are a central part of the debate. According to the OECD, Africa receives the lion’s share of Official Development Assistance (ODA) – some 50 billion US dollars or a third of all global ODA (the main donors including the USA, EU institutions, the World Bank and the UAE). There are questions about channels, participation, conditions, priorities, oversight and accountability, inter alia. Do debt payments and so-called « repatriated profits » outweigh incoming aid and remittances? In any case, the debate often remains somewhat theoretical, omitting to address the specificities of individual countries and situations.
Humanitarian aid in the context of conflicts and disasters, to which the continent is much prone, continues to be essential and on the whole effective, even if insufficient. Africa is currently rife with conflicts and these have profound adverse effects on the development of the countries concerned and the region as a whole. They lead to forced migration, long-term refugee situations and internal displacement, the destruction of infrastructure and the deterioration of social, political and economic institutions. In these situations, some seemingly endless, aid is mostly basic and aimed at the victims of war. Assistance in support of the eradication of poverty, an equitable distribution of resources, the promotion of rule of law and fundamental human rights, education and employment is very much beyond the immediate horizon.
Then there is climate change, and its repercussions on the African continent. These range from extreme heat events and increasing aridity to changes in rainfall patterns and floods; a higher frequency and a greater impact of a variety of weather-related disasters for which few nations are adequately prepared. Already high rates of undernutrition can be expected to increase and agricultural livelihoods to be adversely affected, thereby accelerating the already significant urbanization trend in the region. >>>Read More
H.E. Amb. Gerhard Putman-Cramer
Director, DIHAD International Scientific Advisory Board – DISAB

Be part of the largest humanitarian event in the Middle East. Meet leaders, professionals and trade partners, explore the latest trends, products and services, take part in insightful, educational conferences and workshops and grow your network of business associates.

Join the list of world-class businesses in the sector showcasing their newest products, services and innovations in front of eminent global leaders, prestigious delegates and fellow industry experts. Take the chance to make sustainable impact on the crises-ridden lives of people in need.

Join the discussion on improving humanitarian assistance, finding scarce resources with innovation, creating and preserving moral and ethical considerations with some of the leading think tanks of the world and become a more informed about latest trends and developments.