UAE humanitarians determined to ‘make a difference' despite challenges
MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)Humanitarian leaders, government officials, and diplomats came together in Dubai on Tuesday to honour the heroes who went above and beyond the call of duty to deliver aid in crisis zones. Held at Dubai Humanitarian's headquarters, the event also saw the participation of young Emiratis determined to serve those in need despite challenging conditions. Dubai Humanitarian convened the community gathering alongside the UN Resident Coordinator Office in the UAE, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the UAE Aid Agency. 'This day (World Humanitarian Day) reminds us of the brave men and women who dedicate themselves to helping others. August 19 was chosen to honour the humanitarian staff who lost their lives in the UN Baghdad attack of 2003,' said Giuseppe Saba, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Humanitarian, in his opening remarks. 'Many of those who have lost their lives did so because of their unwavering dedication to helping others,' Saba said. 'World Humanitarian Day is not a celebration, but a day of remembrance.'A minute of silence was observed in memory of those who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.Stephen Anderson, Director of World Food Programme's (WFP) UAE Office and Representative to GCC Region, spoke about the difficult conditions that humanitarian teams experience in conflict areas, as well as regions affected by natural disasters.'Yet the commitment to delivering life-saving aid drives us forward. With the support of hubs like Dubai Humanitarian, we can deliver food and resources quickly, efficiently, and without extra cost to those in need,' Anderson said.Throughout the event, dignitaries and UN representatives underscored the importance of global solidarity and youth involvement in humanitarian work. Young Emiratis, who are devoting their careers to helping others as part of WFP, shared what it truly takes to lend a hand in times of crisis and despair.'Humanitarian work is about courage and responsibility. We go into difficult environments not for recognition, but because we want to make a difference,' said Noor Bukhammas, Strategic Liaison Officer at WFP in the GCC. Sharing his experience on the ground, Ali Almoqadam, Procurement Officer, added, 'Being in conflict-hit regions, you realise how every contribution matters, whether it is delivering food, medical supplies, or simply hope to families in need.' For Amnah Alhashmi, Communications and Media Outreach Analyst at WFP in the GCC, collaboration is another driving force behind lifesaving humanitarian action. 'When organisations, governments, and communities work together, we can overcome even the most challenging crises,' she said. Dubai Humanitarian, the largest humanitarian hub in the world, is a testament to 'the power of efficient, coordinated humanitarian work', said Sara Fikree, Strategic Market Analyst.
'Its infrastructure allows us to respond faster to crises in Gaza, Sudan, Ethiopia, and beyond.'
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20 Aug 2025 00:33 MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)Humanitarian leaders, government officials, and diplomats came together in Dubai on Tuesday to honour the heroes who went above and beyond the call of duty to deliver aid in crisis zones. Held at Dubai Humanitarian's headquarters, the event also saw the participation of young Emiratis determined to serve those in need despite challenging conditions. Dubai Humanitarian convened the community gathering alongside the UN Resident Coordinator Office in the UAE, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the UAE Aid Agency. 'This day (World Humanitarian Day) reminds us of the brave men and women who dedicate themselves to helping others. August 19 was chosen to honour the humanitarian staff who lost their lives in the UN Baghdad attack of 2003,' said Giuseppe Saba, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Humanitarian, in his opening remarks. 'Many of those who have lost their lives did so because of their unwavering dedication to helping others,' Saba said. 'World Humanitarian Day is not a celebration, but a day of remembrance.'A minute of silence was observed in memory of those who have sacrificed their lives in the line of Anderson, Director of World Food Programme's (WFP) UAE Office and Representative to GCC Region, spoke about the difficult conditions that humanitarian teams experience in conflict areas, as well as regions affected by natural disasters.'Yet the commitment to delivering life-saving aid drives us forward. With the support of hubs like Dubai Humanitarian, we can deliver food and resources quickly, efficiently, and without extra cost to those in need,' Anderson the event, dignitaries and UN representatives underscored the importance of global solidarity and youth involvement in humanitarian work. Young Emiratis, who are devoting their careers to helping others as part of WFP, shared what it truly takes to lend a hand in times of crisis and despair.'Humanitarian work is about courage and responsibility. We go into difficult environments not for recognition, but because we want to make a difference,' said Noor Bukhammas, Strategic Liaison Officer at WFP in the GCC. Sharing his experience on the ground, Ali Almoqadam, Procurement Officer, added, 'Being in conflict-hit regions, you realise how every contribution matters, whether it is delivering food, medical supplies, or simply hope to families in need.' For Amnah Alhashmi, Communications and Media Outreach Analyst at WFP in the GCC, collaboration is another driving force behind lifesaving humanitarian action. 'When organisations, governments, and communities work together, we can overcome even the most challenging crises,' she said. Dubai Humanitarian, the largest humanitarian hub in the world, is a testament to 'the power of efficient, coordinated humanitarian work', said Sara Fikree, Strategic Market Analyst. 'Its infrastructure allows us to respond faster to crises in Gaza, Sudan, Ethiopia, and beyond.'
Al Etihad
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This is a concrete step towards establishing a more resilient, locally driven aid system,' Anderson said in an interview with Aletihad.'With a combination of mentorship, field exposure, and hands-on training, WFP is preparing Emirati professionals to lead with purpose.'Six Emirati staff are currently part of the Humanitarian Leaders Programme, working full time within WFP's operations. For them, World Humanitarian Day is more than a commemorative occasion — it's a powerful reminder of their mission and what it truly means to answer the call of duty.'From Gaza to Sudan, Haiti to Yemen, humanitarian workers risk their lives to deliver lifesaving assistance. But saving lives should not mean risking your own. Marking this day honours those who serve while reminding us of our shared responsibility to support and protect them,' said Amnah Alhashmi, Communications and Media Outreach Analyst at WFP in the country has been steadfast in its commitment to global relief efforts, and its support for WFP has been crucial, Alhashmi added. 'Through generous funding, partnerships, and strategic engagement, the UAE has helped WFP reach millions of people in need across the globe, ensuring aid reaches those who need it most while strengthening our ability to respond quickly and safely in crises,' she a citizen of the UAE, Noor Bukhammas, Strategic Liaison Officer with WFP in the GCC, deeply understands that compassion for the vulnerable and helping those in need are among the values at the core of Emirati has seen firsthand how the UAE has supported WFP's work — not only as a donor but 'as a key partner and collaborator in the global fight against hunger'.The UAE's culture of giving has fuelled landmark initiatives. Shatha Alqadi, Procurement Officer, pointed to the '1 Billion Meals' initiative — organised by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) — which was a food aid programme launched in 2023 to provide meals to vulnerable individuals and families, particularly those facing food insecurity and disasters. In July 2025, MBRGI announced the completion of the '1 Billion Meals' initiative, acknowledging WFP's role in contributing through its deliveries. In 2025, WFP and Careem partnered to bring food aid to Gaza by allowing app users in the UAE and Jordan to donate directly to Gaza and the West Bank. Since May 2025, more than 1,200 WFP trucks carrying over 18,000 metric tonnes of food have been delivered, bringing WFP closer to its goal of reaching 1.5 million people this the largest food aid initiative of its kind in the region, the '1 Billion Meals' initiative aims to provide nutritional support to underprivileged individuals, families, women, and children, reflecting the UAE's inclusive approach to humanitarianism, which offers assistance and aid to all communities without discrimination.'Both initiatives show how WFP and the UAE work hand in hand — whether it's using a homegrown app to let people make a direct impact or rallying global solidarity through large-scale campaigns to fight hunger,' she every statistic lies a story of urgency and survival. Abdulazeez Mahboob, Strategic Market Analyst, described the challenges humanitarian workers face daily. 'The biggest challenge is remembering that behind every 'crisis' are real people who cannot afford to wait. On the ground, it is heartbreaking when families remain out of reach because of conflict, disasters, or geography. At the operational level, we deal with limited resources and rising costs, which means making difficult choices every day. Yet every effort, no matter how small, can mean survival and dignity for someone,' Mahboob Almoqadam, Procurement Officer, recalled supporting frontline teams from the UAE. 'Through my work in procurement, I recently coordinated with suppliers to source vehicles for colleagues working in conflict-affected areas. These vehicles are essential for enabling staff to deliver food and assistance, while also ensuring their safety and mobility. This behind-the-scenes work demonstrates how procurement directly supports frontline operations.'Innovation is also transforming humanitarian response, offering new tools that can help address global threats. 'From drones to real-time crisis mapping, new technologies are moving to the centre of humanitarian response,' said Sara Fikree, Strategic Market Analyst. 'These tools are helping us anticipate needs resulting from crises and disasters to enable a proactive response, which enhances WFP's ability to adapt to challenges like climate change, conflict, and mass displacement.' Legacy Lives On For the six Emiratis at WFP, working in the humanitarian field is a way of honouring their nation's legacy — one that is bound to inspire generations to come.'As more young, ambitious Emiratis join the organisation and the sector at large, we carry with us the philanthropic attitude shaped by our country's legacy of giving,' Bukhammas said. She is confident that the UAE-WFP partnership will continue to grow, 'not only through delivering life-saving food assistance together but also by empowering communities to build their resilience and lead their path to a sustainable future - from the UAE to the world'.
