Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai
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24 – 26 August 2026

Dubai World Trade Centre

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24 – 26 August 2026

Dubai World Trade Centre

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Exhibitor Products 2026

Home Exhibitor Products 2026

NutriFEEDO RUTF

NutriFEEDO RUTF

Nuflower

NutriFEEDO RUTF
NutriFEEDO RUTF
Nuflower

NutriFEEDO™ RUTF is a peanut based, energy-rich, and micronutrients fortified Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) used to treat children under 5 years old suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). This product is specially designed to meet the required levels of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, following standards set by the global public health authorities. Made with peanuts, sugar, and milk, it provides high energy and supports rapid weight gain in malnourished children. It also delivers essential nutrients through a carefully added vitamin-mineral premix to support recovery and healthy growth.

NutriFEEDO lite RUSF

NutriFEEDO lite RUSF

Nuflower

NutriFEEDO lite RUSF
NutriFEEDO lite RUSF
Nuflower

NutriFEEDO lite™ RUSF is a peanut based, high-energy, Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) developed for children suffering from Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). It delivers a balanced mix of proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals —following global standards set by the global public health authorities. Made with peanuts, sugar, and milk, it provides concentrated energy to promote fast weight gain, while also helping meet the child’s daily nutritional needs for healthy growth and recovery.

Aquatabs

Aquatabs

Aquatabs

Aquatabs
Aquatabs
Aquatabs

Aquatabs supports rapid, localised deployment of safe drinking water treatment in emergencies and low-resource settings. Aquatabs effervescent tablets are formulated for different volumes, for example one 67mg HWTS tablet disinfects 20 litres, and offer a 5-year shelf life. System solutions include compact Aquatabs Flo, which operates solely on water flow to disinfect 180,000 litres, and Aquatabs InLine, which integrates seamlessly into pressurised treatment systems to disinfect a minimum of 360,000 litres.

ULTRASEPTIN Classic

ULTRASEPTIN Classic

Aquatabs

ULTRASEPTIN Classic
ULTRASEPTIN Classic
Aquatabs

Ultraseptin is a Class IIb medical device, CE marked in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/745. ULTRASEPTIN Classic provides high-level disinfection for manual reprocessing of reusable medical devices and instruments.

NUTRITION TREATMENT

NUTRITION TREATMENT

Yeryüzü Doktorları

NUTRITION TREATMENT
NUTRITION TREATMENT
Yeryüzü Doktorları

We apply medical nutrition treatment in our nutritional health centers we established to prevent malnutrition diseases and health problems caused by hunger. As Yeryüzü Doktorları provides nutritional health services in countries experiencing severe hunger; We continue our treatments to reduce severe and moderate malnutrition in children under 5 years of age and pregnant and breastfeeding women. We have provided nutritional examination and treatment services to hundreds of thousands of people since 2012, and we continue to do so. We have been fighting hunger in Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis has been increasing since October 7, and providing nutritional support to the people of the region.

ZAKAT DONATION

ZAKAT DONATION

Yeryüzü Doktorları

ZAKAT DONATION
ZAKAT DONATION
Yeryüzü Doktorları

Earth continues to struggle on the brink of natural disasters, hunger, poverty, infectious diseases and wars. Increasing humanitarian crises further increase the need for sharing in crisis areas. This year, as we have for 25 years, we are delivering your zakat to tens of thousands of people in need in difficult geographies of the world. With your zakat, in needy areas; We provide health services such as examination, surgery, treatment and medication support, and we reach those in need by distributing food parcels for basic needs and organizing iftar meals. You, too, can touch someone's life by sharing your zakat and fitrah with the world.

GENERAL DONATION

GENERAL DONATION

Yeryüzü Doktorları

GENERAL DONATION
GENERAL DONATION
Yeryüzü Doktorları

As Yeryüzü Doktorları, we work every day to make sure that there is no one left in the world who cannot reach quality health care. We sends volunteer medical teams to regions where difficult conditions such as disasters, hunger, war and poverty are experienced or we open new health centers or renew the existing ones. With over 45,000 volunteers, more than 25,000 of whom are healthcare professionals, we have provided: Over 3 million medical consultations in 83 countries, More than 48,000 surgeries, Over 300,000 treatment services, More than 150,000 nutrition health treatments. We take our greatest strength from you, our donors and volunteers, and improve our work every day. You can donate any amount you want and support us so that everyone in the world can receive health care. Goodness. Health.

GAZA DONATION

GAZA DONATION

Yeryüzü Doktorları

GAZA DONATION
GAZA DONATION
Yeryüzü Doktorları

In Gaza, where approximately 2 million Palestinians live, a humanitarian crisis continues due to the embargoes imposed since 2007. Attacks on the Palestinian people continue in the events that started on October 7th. So far, more than 59,000 people have lost their lives in these attacks, and more than 140,000 have been injured. Equipment shortages and power outages in the region are making it difficult to provide healthcare services in hospitals. On the other hand, hunger is causing a major crisis leading to deaths. At Yeryüzü Doktorları, we are committed to continuing our efforts, no matter the circumstances. We are working relentlessly to address the most urgent needs in the region, where the intensity of the attacks increases daily, and access to even basic necessities is becoming more challenging.

CATARACT DONATION

CATARACT DONATION

Yeryüzü Doktorları

CATARACT DONATION
CATARACT DONATION
Yeryüzü Doktorları

Since 2006, as Doctors Worldwide Turkey, we have been carrying out eye health programs in regions where they are most needed. To date, in 27 countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Chechnya, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Cameroon, Cambodia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Yemen, we have conducted over 280,000 eye examinations, performed more than 39,000 cataract surgeries, and provided glasses to over 73,000 people.

QURBANI DONATION

QURBANI DONATION

Yeryüzü Doktorları

QURBANI DONATION
QURBANI DONATION
Yeryüzü Doktorları

Hundreds of thousands of people around the world are struggling with hunger due to poverty, natural disasters, and wars. As Earth Doctors, we not only provide medical nutritional treatments in these regions but also conduct sacrificial operations. Throughout the year, we deliver your voluntary sacrifice donations to those in need and transform your support into health and goodness. By making a voluntary sacrifice donation, you can support those living on the brink of hunger.

AIO Reusable sanitary pad

AIO Reusable sanitary pad

Yiwu Babyshow Maternal CO.,LTD

AIO Reusable sanitary pad
AIO Reusable sanitary pad
Yiwu Babyshow Maternal CO.,LTD

AIO Reusable cloth sanitary pads (also known as cloth pads or washable sanitary pads) are menstrual care products made from natural absorbent fabrics that can be washed and reused multiple times. This particular model features a fleece top layer combined with a waterproof backing, and also comes with a dedicated storage pouch. 1. Material and Structure ​ - Top layer: Typically made of organic cotton, bamboo fiber, or fleece, which is soft and skin-friendly to reduce the risk of irritation. ​ - Inner layer: An absorbent core with a TPU waterproof membrane to prevent leaks. ​ - Fastening: Side snap buttons for secure attachment to underwear, preventing shifting. ​ 2. Eco-friendliness and Cost-effectiveness ​ - Can be reused for 1-5 years, significantly reducing plastic waste from disposable sanitary pads. ​ - More cost-effective in the long run: Some users report a reduction in the cost per menstrual cycle. ​ 3. Comfort and Health ​ - Natural materials offer better breathability, reducing the risk of stuffiness, odor, and contact dermatitis. ​ - Free from chemical additives such as fluorescent agents, bleaches, and fragrances, making them suitable for sensitive skin.

Adult Cloth Diaper

Adult Cloth Diaper

Yiwu Babyshow Maternal CO.,LTD

Adult Cloth Diaper
Adult Cloth Diaper
Yiwu Babyshow Maternal CO.,LTD

Adult cloth diapers are reusable incontinence care products designed with adjustable snap fasteners, offering a comfortable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative to disposable options. 1. Material and Structure - Outer Layer: Typically crafted from polyester fabric bonded with a TPU breathable waterproof membrane. This dual-layer design ensures reliable leak protection while allowing air circulation to minimize stuffiness. - Inner Layer: Made from soft, skin-friendly materials such as bamboo fiber, organic cotton, or fleece, which reduce friction and irritation on the skin. - Fastening System: Features multi-position snap buttons that flexibly adjust the waist and front length. This ensures a secure, customized fit for various body types and prevents shifting during wear. 2. Eco-friendliness and Cost-effectiveness - Reusable Design: Washable and sterilizable for repeated use, significantly reducing plastic waste and environmental impact associated with disposable diapers. - Long-term Affordability: Despite a higher initial cost, one set can replace hundreds of disposable products, resulting in substantial savings over time. 3. Comfort and Health - Superior Breathability: The natural materials and layered construction provide better ventilation than disposable diapers, effectively reducing the risk of skin dampness, overheating, and diaper rash. - Chemical-free: High-quality cloth diapers contain no harmful additives such as fluorescent agents or fragrances, making them ideal for users with sensitive skin. 4. Application Scenarios and Selection - Target Users: Suitable for individuals with mild to moderate urinary incontinence, mobility-impaired seniors, post-surgery patients, and eco-conscious consumers. - Selection Tips: Choose products with appropriate absorbency based on the severity of incontinence, select the right size for your body shape, and prioritize soft, durable materials for long-term comfort.

OASIS

OASIS

HYDRACHEM LIMITED

OASIS
OASIS
HYDRACHEM LIMITED

OASIS WATER PURIFICATION TABLETS

SATO Slab (704)

SATO Slab (704)

SATO, part of LIXIL

SATO Slab (704)
SATO Slab (704)
SATO, part of LIXIL

SATO Slab with toilet pan and stool for offset pits Need to construct a toilet quickly? The sturdy and quick-to-install SATO Slab, has been designed to be easy to clean, self-supporting and suitable for all climates. The award-winning toilet pan design, delivers freshness, comfort, and safety to those that do not have access to running water or sewer systems. The western-style sit stool toilet provides a comfortable and pleasant toilet experience providing better access for those with reduced mobility. It comes complete with a collection box for an offset pit construction.

SATO Slab (701)

SATO Slab (701)

SATO, part of LIXIL

SATO Slab (701)
SATO Slab (701)
SATO, part of LIXIL

SATO Slab with bird door toilet pan Need to construct a toilet quickly? The sturdy and quick-to-install SATO Slab has been designed to be easy to clean, self-supporting and suitable for all climates. The award-winning toilet pan design, delivers freshness, comfort, and safety to those that do not have access to running water or sewer systems.

SATO Superstructure (720)

SATO Superstructure (720)

SATO, part of LIXIL

SATO Superstructure (720)
SATO Superstructure (720)
SATO, part of LIXIL

SATO SuperStructure Need a toilet solution with added privacy for your latrine? The eco-friendly, sturdy and quick-to-install SATO Superstructure has been designed for user comfort and safety in humanitarian settings. Its dimensions were designed to fit perfectly on top of the SATO Slab.

SATO Pitliner (710)

SATO Pitliner (710)

SATO, part of LIXIL

SATO Pitliner (710)
SATO Pitliner (710)
SATO, part of LIXIL

SATO PIT LINER, 1000mm ID Need to construct a toilet pit quickly? The innovative SATO Pit liner SATO710 has been designed to be easy to install without the need of any bricklaying. The patented interlocking tabs simply click together so that the pit liner can be quickly constructed with everything supplied in one box for easy transport to site. Available in two sizes depending on the diameter of the pit required 1000 millimetres internal diameter (18 panel set)

Food Service in Gaza and Africa

Food Service in Gaza and Africa

İSAR

Food Service in Gaza and Africa
Food Service in Gaza and Africa
İSAR

We are providing food aid in Gaza and Africa with the donations we receive.

Madagascar Water Well

Madagascar Water Well

İSAR

Madagascar Water Well
Madagascar Water Well
İSAR

With the donations we receive, we are carrying out water well drilling projects in Madagascar.

Tanzania Orphan Clothing

Tanzania Orphan Clothing

İSAR

Tanzania Orphan Clothing
Tanzania Orphan Clothing
İSAR

With the donations we receive, we run a program in Tanzania that provides clothing for orphans.

Domestic Aid Activities

Domestic Aid Activities

İSAR

Domestic Aid Activities
Domestic Aid Activities
İSAR

We provide clothing and food aid with donations from within the country.

Stretchers

Stretchers

Polcreative Group

Stretchers
Stretchers
Polcreative Group

Safe handling and transport require equipment that professionals can fully rely on. Our stretchers are developed to provide stability, strength and control. Ideal for .Disaster response teams .International aid organisations - lightweight handling - durable, easy-to-clean materials - reinforced handles for secure lifting - structural robustness to carry up to 250kg Safe handling and transport require equipment that professionals can fully rely on. Our stretchers are developed to provide stability, strength and control. STANDARD & MULTI-PURPOSE STRETCHERS Our standard stretchers are designed for controlled transport. Strong yet lightweight construction Reinforced lifting handles for secure grip Easy to clean and maintain Suitable for repeated professional use Can carry up to 250kg Engineered to support teams in daily operations where reliability and hygiene are essential. WATER RECOVERY STRETCHERS Recovering a body from water presents unique challenges: increased weight, instability and reduced material resistance. Our Water Recovery Stretchers are specifically designed for use in water environments. The integrated mesh structure allows immediate drainage, preventing unnecessary water accumulation during lifting and transport. This results in: • Reduced excess weight • Improved balance and control • Safer handling for recovery teams • Greater operational efficiency Reinforced lifting straps ensure secure and stable weight distribution, even under demanding conditions.

Heavy duty body bags

Heavy duty body bags

Polcreative Group

Heavy duty body bags
Heavy duty body bags
Polcreative Group

Polcreative Group’s heavy-duty body bags are engineered for the most demanding environments: natural disasters, conflict zones, long-distance repatriations and intense field operations. - Reinforced PEVA foil, significantly stronger than standard PE - Resistant to tearing, dragging, lifting and repeated handling - Capable of enduring long transport routes - Available in sizes up to 250 × 120 cm. Ideal for oversized bodies or situations requiring additional space Optional add-ons - Integrated handles - Absorbent layers - Tie ribs - Document pouch for identification - Identification tags

Armored Toyota Land Cruiser 300

Armored Toyota Land Cruiser 300

International Armored Group

Armored Toyota Land Cruiser 300
Armored Toyota Land Cruiser 300
International Armored Group

Armored Vehicles - Certified VR7 Toyota Land Cruiser 300

Single Burner Model SB102

Single Burner Model SB102

Single Burner Model SB102
Single Burner Model SB102

Single Burner – SB102 The patented Blue Flame Stoves Single Burner is a safe, clean burning and durable ethanol cookstove. The unique burning technology produces negligible soot and particles. The integrated windshield of the improved SB102 model ensures effective cooking in exposed conditions. The windshield also shields the user from open flame. It enhances the safety aspects of cooking by surrounding the pots (up to 25cm in diameter) and keeping them in place. Larger pots with more than 25 cm diameter and larger pans are placed on the pot support above the windshield. The pot supports are solid and removable for cleaning. The fuel canister slides out for easy refilling and is filled with mineral wool for safe fuel retention. The mineral wool can be replaced to extend the life of the canister.A regulator is used to adjust the flame. Rubber feet keep the cookstove stable.

Double Burner  Model DB202

Double Burner Model DB202

Double Burner  Model DB202
Double Burner Model DB202

Double Burner – Model DB202 The patented Blue Flame Stoves Double Burner is a safe, clean burning and durable ethanol cookstove. The unique burning technology produces negligible soot and particles. The integrated windshields of the improved DB202 model ensure effective cooking in exposed conditions. The windshields also shield the user from open flames and enhance the safety aspects of cooking by surrounding the pots (up to 25cm in diameter) and keeping them in place. Larger pots with more than 25 cm diameter and larger pans are placed on the pot support above the windshield. The pot supports are solid and removable for cleaning. The fuel canisters slide out for easy refilling and are filled with mineral wool for safe fuel retention. The mineral wool can be replaced to extend the life of the canisters. Regulators are used to adjust the flame. Rubber feet keep the cookstove stable.

Organised By :
INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions Organization L.L.C
INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions Org. Est.

COPYRIGHT © 2026. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Policy

Shortage of ‘Human Resources for Health’ in Developing Countries

Supported by Noor Dubai

Subtitle:

The shortage of health workers in developing countries may undermine the attainment of the Sustainable development goals, universal health coverage and undermine control of epidemics/pandemics. So how do we improve the number and quality of health workers in developing countries?

Context:

The World Health Organization in its 2006 World Health Report reported that over 4 million more health workers are needed globally to prevent crisis in the health sector. Out of which Africa alone needs 1.5 million workers. Thus 36 of the 57 countries in the continent have critical shortages of human resources for health.

Globally all countries are challenged by worker shortage, skill mix imbalance, maldistribution, negative work environment, and weak knowledge base. However, it is worse in the poorest countries mostly of Africa and Asia where the workforce is under assault by HIV/AIDS, epidemics, out-migration, poor working environment, demotivation, undertraining and inadequate investment.

The critical shortage of health workers in developing world especially Africa is a major impediment to achievement of health/developmental goals, and could hinder the ability to control epidemics and pandemic outbreaks. In many developing countries this shortage not only affects provision of life saving interventions like childhood immunization, maternal services and prevention/treatment of the major infectious diseases –HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis; but also hampers response to serious epidemics and pandemics like Ebola, Hemorrhagic fevers, Yellow fever and Covid-19. In addition to this the increasing aging population and change of life style in these developing countries results in rising burden of chronic diseases and non-communicable diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancers etc needing more well trained health personnel’s and facilities.

This shortage is made worse within these countries by a vicious cycle of outbreaks of epidemics that further deplete the workforce and emigration of health workers to other parts of the world. The gross mal-distribution of the workers where by majority of health workers are in the urban areas but most of the population lives in rural areas in these countries, aggravates the situation. Furthermore the opportunities for continuous medical education and self-development is generally limited.

Thus, this human resource for health crisis in the developing countries especially Africa is not only about the quantity of the health workers and their distribution but also their quality. Due to weak educational systems and training facilities, occasioned by poor investment, health workers in many of these countries are not only inadequately trained but also lack the continuous medical education to handle emerging life threatening emergencies and chronic health conditions.

The crisis is partly caused by underfunding from governments due to competing developmental demands with very weak economies. This results in fewer ill-equipped training institutions, undertraining, under-recruitment, lack of facilities, demotivation, brain drain etc. The pull of higher salaries in industrialized countries and the push of poor working conditions at home along with political and social strife drive thousands of health workers to jobs abroad each year. This ever increasing brain drain from these poor weak countries to richer nations of the West and Middle East compound an already bad situation.

Challenge statement:

The SDG goal 3 (Ensuring health living and promoting wellbeing for all for all ages), the universal health coverage and ability to withstand epidemics and pandemics like Covid-19 cannot be achieved in many countries if the human resources for health crisis in these countries is not tackled.

So how can we address this gross shortage of health workers in developing countries especially Africa in terms of not only the number of the health workers, but their distribution and their expertise (knowledge and skills?). What innovative and technological approach can be applied to address this big challenge?

The digital literacy divide between e-learners: how to narrow the gaps?

Supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Title: The digital literacy divide between e-learners: how to narrow the gaps?

Concept: In a world that everyone is using the digital sphere to communicate and learn, there is still a gap between the e-learners as some have high digital literacy while many still have more limited literacy.

MSF’s e-Learning team (TEMO) aims at reaching 95% of the organization’s staff and not only 25% with high digital literacy, access to computers, access to internet, etc.

Challenge: In this scenario and in order for all staff to have access to distance learning and eLearning Solutions like Tembo can offer, what are proposals and ideas to promote digital literacy for the e-learners to narrow the gaps?

Overcoming Challenges to the Inclusion of Beneficiaries with Disabilities in Emergencies

Supported by International Humanitarian City

Keywords: Emergency Preparedness & Response; Disabilities

Introduction:
IHC for the 2020 Humanitarian Hackathon decided to focus the attention on a group of vulnerable populations affected by Disabilities. The purpose of this challenge is to stimulate people to think outside the box and come up with possible innovative tools that the humanitarian community can offer to people exposed to emergencies and having different kinds of disabilities. In particular, mobility and communication/ability to attract attention are two crucial factors when it comes to the immediate aftermath of a disaster as well as the short and long-term living situation the affected disabled population may find themselves in. The purpose is to integrate and enrich the humanitarian prepositioned stocks with appropriated equipment and aid and therefore strengthen the emergency preparedness and have tools ready for their use in the response phase. The aim is to involve the Humanitarian Hackathon 2020 participants and transform their ideas in humanitarian aid for the benefit of the disabled. Looking at the list of the humanitarian relief items stocked within various humanitarian hubs it appears that no specific items are kept in stock specifically to support the differently-abled living in areas affected by disasters.

Scenarios:
The most frequent emergency scenarios are due to natural disasters such as floods, Tsunamis, Earthquake, cyclones, volcano eruptions, fire-forest etc…in addition to conflict areas. Hackathon participants are invited to think about the disabled population in those scenarios, and particularly, how the disabled can attract rescue teams or humanitarian workers providing assistance. Options for innovative solutions may focus on preventive measures, especially for the populations most exposed to risks and living in prone and hazard areas and subject to frequent natural disasters. Other innovative solutions may focus more on the immediate response following disasters when the affected population is forced to vacate their accommodation, which is appropriately equipped for their disability and moved into newer and less familiar areas. How can we help them?

Below are some tips for the various potential disabilities.

Suggestions:

  • Overall, items that could be useful to most disability categories could be:
  • A Tools to attract attention (which can be distributed to all vulnerable people affected)
  • A disability-friendly app
  • Stool bags compatible with a foldable wheelchair toilet seat
  • Clear masks for lip-reading for the rescue teams
Improving Small Farmers Access to Knowledge About Crop Production Techniques through E-Agriculture

Supported by International Humanitarian City

In several humanitarian response areas, are blessed with diverse climatic conditions for almost all crops (cereal, fruit and vegetable crops), besides ample opportunity to grow high value vegetables as off season in certain zones and pristine climatic niches as well production of certain fruits and vegetables seedling in low, high and walk in tunnels.

Moreover, there is also immense scope of growing short duration vegetable in three successive seasons i.e. summer, winter and autumn such as tomato, broccoli and potato. The small farmers in general are neither aware of the opportunities of effective utilization of their physical , financial and human resources nor know the ways and means to utilize their available resources. Thus they follow the hit and trial rules to grow crops which often incur heavy losses to them.

DISTANCE LEARNING CHALLENGES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN A POST COVID-19 WORLD

Supported by Dubai Cares

COVID-19 exacerbated pre-existing gaps in Developing Countries, which were already strained, underserved and faced significant tech capacity limitations, causing serious learning disruptions.

Context

The world has been brought to a standstill by the impact of COVID-19. Airports, restaurants, movie theaters and other elements of the social environment have been disrupted by this virus’ contagion. While watching movies and dining in public are not essential to our lives, work and education are.

Education systems and learning have been heavily disrupted by COVID-19. At its apex, school closures reached over 180 countries. Currently, according to the UNESCO Education Impact Tracker, there are still 34 country wide school closures and over half a billion affected child learners. “The medium and long-term implications of the learning crisis [has] forced 1.6 billion learners worldwide out of the classroom” (UNESCO). This is especially true for education in developing countries, which were already facing poor economic conditions while also coping with low literacy, numeracy, enrollment and proficiency.

In July, UNESCO estimated “that about 24 million learners, from pre-primary to university level, are at risk of not returning to school in 2020 following the education disruption due to COVID-19. Almost half of them are found in South and West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. University students are affected the most, due to the costs related to their studies. Pre-primary education is the second most affected while at primary and secondary level 10.9 million students are at risk, 5.2 million of whom are girls.”

As closures forced students and parents home, the need for connectivity and hardware arose. “Today half of the world’s population (3.6 billion people) still lack an internet connection.” Many countries with low economic development and lack of connectivity, adapted via national broadcasts over TV and Radio, “yet the benefits of internet-based solutions vis-à-vis radio and TV solutions are considerable: connected digital technologies allow for the possibility of two-way communication, real-time interaction, gamified learning, and much more. Investments poured into efforts to make digital tools the principal hubs of learning, rather than brick-and-mortar school sand classrooms” (UNESCO).

“According to UN estimates, nearly 500 million students from pre-primary to upper secondary school did not have any access to any remote learning. Three quarters of these students lived in the poorest households or rural areas. More nuanced data showed finer disparities that traced and functioned to accentuate existing social, economic, gender and geographic fault lines. Analysis from Brookings shows that at the height of school closures, around 90 percent of high-income countries were providing some form of online remote learning, but only 25 per cent of low-income countries were doing the same” (UNESCO).

 

One of the flagship innovations responding to this at a global level is GIGA, an initiative launched by UNICEF and ITU in September 2019 to connect every school to the Internet and every young person to information, opportunity and choice. GIGA is supporting the immediate response to COVID-19, as well as looking at how connectivity can create stronger infrastructures of hope and opportunity in the “time after COVID.” The main objective of GIGA is to connect 2 million schools and 500 million children by 2025 and 5 million schools and 1 billion children by 2030, via funding of local infrastructure entrepreneurs and open source digital public goods.

Lastly, the long term effects of diminished education is worth considering, as “the World Bank has projected the financial cost of this learning loss to be as high as USD $10 trillion or 10% of global gross domestic product” (UNESCO). The human and economic impact of stunted education will ripple through the next decade as less educated students, workers and citizens will enter a world that is simultaneously regressing (climate change) and rapidly evolving (technology). Those that are already economically disadvantaged are at greater risk of getting left behind even more.

Challenge Statement:

As discussed above, distance learning is not always feasible due to low prevalence of connectivity and hardware in developing nations and economies, where the population is less able to purchase cell phones and laptops, while the public and private sectors are less likely to build connectivity infrastructure such as cell towers and Wi-Fi access points.

  • How can distance learning solutions be delivered to low income / remote / rural areas with low hardware saturation and lack of internet access so as not to exclude them from education services and systems they were already underserved by?
  • Think of innovative*, feasible and scalable solutions for learning disruption in developing countries

Things to keep in mind for solution design and review criteria:

  • Developing contexts often have limited access to transportation, clean water and sanitation
  • *Innovation does not necessarily mean very high tech and revolutionary. Sometimes the most innovative thing is using or reformulating something basic and abundant in a new and low cost way
  • Reflect on the sustainability of the design, as many solutions end up collecting dust after initial investment and intervention
  • Think through the replicability and scalability of the solution for global reach in similar environments
  • Contemplate potential cross-sectorial collaboration (telecom, government, and academia)
  • Consider the operational part of it: how is it going to work, under what umbrella, with what organizational or collaborative structure
  • Deliberate on the Who and How of funding your solution
Water Scarcity and Accessibility to Clean Water

Supported by UAE Water Aid

The UAE Water Aid Foundation, Suqia, under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, works diligently to provide clean and safe drinking water to communities in dire need and that lack basic access to water. Thus, Suqia contributes directly to Goal 6, Clean Water & Sanitation, of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It also has important contributions to goals 1 (no poverty), 3 (good health and well-being), 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality) and 17 (partnerships for the goals).

Access to clean and safe water remains one of the most critical challenges faced by many around the world. While governments and societies work together to provide solutions to communities in need, the number of those who lack access to basic drinking water services continues to increase till date. According to recent statistics, the figure has reached a staggering 785 million in 2019. In many communities, people spend up to 6 hours each day collecting water. Not only does walking long distances while carrying 20 liters of water cause severe health issues, but it also keeps children out of school and wastes time that families could be using to earn an income.

Utilizing various solutions including artesian wells, water purification stations, water filters, water distribution networks and others, we were able to provide clean drinking water for more than 13 million people in 36 countries around the world.

The main challenge is in providing communities that need it the most. Often these communities are in remote locations difficult to get to and may be overseen in search of the places that require access to clean drinking water.

Although, the water infrastructure is not available, tele-communication networks are often available.

How can we utilize the tele-communication networks or mobile applications to support our goal of reaching out to communities in need? We are looking for a solution that would be easy to use where individuals can pin-point locations globally that face water shortage and lack easy access to clean drinking water. The solution would ideally identify the type of need in the area, the water quality, the approximate number of people living in the area, etc ..