UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IFRC strengthen humanitarian partnership

Abu Dhabi, [8 April 2025] – His Excellency Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development and International Organizations, met with Xavier Castellanos Mosquera, Under Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi to discuss ways to strengthen humanitarian cooperation.During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting joint efforts to address urgent humanitarian needs and ensure that life-saving assistance reaches the most vulnerable—especially the sick, children, women, and the elderly.His Excellency Al Shamsi emphasized the UAE’s unwavering dedication to international humanitarian action and commended the IFRC’s extensive work in crisis-affected regions around the world. His Excellency underscored the UAE’s ongoing support to humanitarian operations, highlighting the country’s role as a key partner of the international community in enabling urgent and effective responses to alleviate suffering around the world.Mr. Castellanos expressed appreciation for the UAE’s continued engagement with the IFRC and acknowledged the critical role the UAE plays in advancing global humanitarian efforts and the Emirates Red Crescent Society’s (ERCS) efforts to advancing emergency healthcare. In line with this shared interest, the ERCS intends to explore closer cooperation with the IFRC on capacity building for its emergency health system, with the aim of enhancing its ability to respond more effectively and rapidly to crises.The two officials reviewed current joint initiatives and explored opportunities to expand collaboration, including enhancing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and the delivery of sustainable support to communities facing crises.Both sides stressed the importance of upholding humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality, and reiterated their shared belief that strong, strategic partnerships are essential to meet today’s growing humanitarian challenges. New areas of collaboration that align with emerging needs and shared strategic priorities will be explored.The meeting highlighted the longstanding partnership between the UAE and the IFRC and their joint commitment to ensuring that humanitarian assistance is timely, effective, and grounded in dignityandsolidarity.

Dubai's International Humanitarian City swiftly responds to humanitarian crisis in Sudan

Dubai,9 September 2022 - Additional aid has been dispatched out of Dubai’s International Humanitarian City (IHC) to Sudan this week as Dubai continues to respond to multiple humanitarian emergencies across the globe. A cargo flight made available by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, departed on Wednesday to Khartoum, following floods that have affected more than 200,000 people and claimed the lives of at least 112 individuals. His Excellency Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Supervision of IHC, said: “Dubai is a key international player in delivering and facilitating humanitarian assistance as exemplified by the recent response to humanitarian crises. Thanks to the vision, leadership, and generosity of the Dubai government and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, the IHC, with its unique expertise and standing as the world’s largest humanitarian hub, is operating an effective and efficient flow of relief items to multiple countries this week on behalf of the United Nations and other international organizations, building on decades of experience and Dubai’s position as a global logistics hub.” As part of an ongoing humanitarian airbridge to the African continent, the first of multiple Khartoum-bound flights carried more than 90 tons of aid from the stockpiles of two of IHC’s members, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). A second plane loaded with additional aid and relief items, will arrive today in Khartoum, carrying 100 tons of additional relief items provided by the IFRC. Ilir Caushaj, IFRC Global Fleet and Logistics Hub Head in Dubai, added: “As a response to the heavy and continuous rains being experienced in six states in Sudan, IFRC is sending urgent humanitarian aid to those affected and displaced due to torrential rains and floods in the country, to help alleviate their suffering and improve their living conditions. The supplies and humanitarian aid include blankets, hygiene kits, foldable jerrycans, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, mats, tarpaulins, and water purification agents, supporting over 20,000 people with a total value of CHF 340,000. We thank the IHC and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for their long-standing support to humanitarian organizations and generosity in facilitating and expediting the transportation of aid to those who need it most.” Over the first week of September, following the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the IHC is facilitating two humanitarian air bridges in support of international humanitarian response efforts in Libya, Sudan, and Pakistan. For more information, please contact: Malak Atkeh, IFRC/GCC, [email protected], Mob +971 564780874 Magalie El Hajj,International Humanitarian City, Dubai,[email protected],M +971 56 477 6412

Red Crescent Society of the United Arab Emirates

Media advisory: DIHAD 2019 - IFRC President to speak on migration

Dubai/Geneva, 11 March 2019: The President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Francesco Rocca, will speak out on the rising humanitarian needs of migrants during a keynote address to the Dubai International Aid and Development Conference (DIHAD).Mr Rocca will raise concerns about the emergence of policies that are designed to limit migration, but serve to increase the suffering and vulnerability of people searching for safety and dignity.Mr Rocca will be available to speak to the media on 12 and 13 March. In addition to migration, he can also speak on a range of humanitarian issues, including the humanitarian situation in Venezuela (where he visited in February), and the Brussels III Conference on Syria that he will be attending immediately following DIHAD.About IFRC:IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network, comprising 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies working to save lives and promote dignity around the world.www.ifrc.org - Facebook - Twitter - YouTube – Flickr