Princess Haya urged humanitarian agencies to redefine emergencies and have a more joined up approach towards crises.
Dubai - She made the statement during her keynote address at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition.
Published: Mon 5 Mar 2018, 7:15 PM
Last updated: Tue 6 Mar 2018, 11:58 AM
The humanitarian landscape must develop better roadmaps to foresee emergencies and provide effective responses to humanity's ever-changing stance, opined Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and chairperson of the International Humanitarian City (IHC).
She made the statement during her keynote address at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (Dihad) that kicked off on Monday under the theme 'Sustainability in emergency aid'. She said the humanitarian sector has failed to deliver aid and respond effectively to emergencies and crises.
The role of governments in humanitarian aid
While militaries around the world have had a huge role in humanitarian assistance to countries in crises, Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and chairperson of the International Humanitarian City (IHC), called for continued collaboration of all players, including the military, to ensure effective and timely humanitarian responses.
She emphasised that an effective emergency response must be multifaceted and aided by political will, law enforcement, government stability, humanitarian aid and recognition of the importance of rehabilitating healthcare and education systems alongside infrastructure.
"Governments must seek a political solution to the conflicts. The increasing importance of militaries and police forces in law enforcement is crucial to the urgent pursuit of government stability within affected regions. It is only through these pillars that emergency aid can work," stated Princess Haya, at the Dihad conference and exhibition.
"With tremendous challenges facing the humanitarian sector, need to find solutions still exists within communities. Just like the UAE learned to speak the language of the desert, relief agencies must take their steps carefully and with thought," she said.
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Princess Haya called for developing sustainable solutions and providing better responses and forecasting before disasters turn into emergencies. "We are the custodians of limited physical and human resources. yet, evidence show that we are emptying our cups faster than we can refill them."
She urged humanitarian agencies to redefine emergencies and have a more joined up approach towards crises. "It can't be sustainable for humanitarian sector to continue to fight in the way it has had in recent years."
With currently 16 countries struggling with political violence that damaged economies, food productions, health systems and left millions starving, Princess Haya called for more collaboration among countries and persistence to face underlying challenges.
She said the humanitarian sector has largely been shaking by the growing political nationalism and xenophobia that caused foreign aid cuts and the general scrutiny facing agencies. "It is important that we don't get distracted from the vital work we should continue to do. People's lives are quite literally in our hands."
Today, 498 million people live in countries ragged by conflicts. About 850 million people worldwide (one in nine) lack food resources. Tens of millions of dollars that might have supported world developments are now being diverted to conflict areas.
The 15th edition of Dihad will witness the participation of over 600 companies from 84 countries around the world coming together to work on a roadmap for humanitarian assistance. The conference will conclude on March 7. sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
KT NANO EDIT
Help is the word
Rising conflicts around the world have ripped lives. People need help, basic necessities to survive, and save whatever is left of what they call life. The world shouldn't turn a blind eye, and offer help. Understandably, the task of sending humanitarian aid to conflict-hit areas is enormous and complex, but world leaders must look for solutions, strike new partnerships and ensure timely help to people in need. There's no higher purpose than service to others, and no greater contribution than to help the weak.
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