Dubai: The UAE paid tribute to the world’s unsung heroes on Sunday as it marked the World Humanitarian Day at the Burj Khalifa Steps in downtown Dubai.
Held under the patronage of United Nations (UN) Messenger of Peace and Chairperson of the International Humanitarian City (IHC) Princess Haya Bint Al Husssin, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the annual event aimed to raise awareness on the important role of humanitarians who are out in the field giving aid to those who need it most.
Videos showcasing humanitarian efforts across the globe, along with a prerecorded performance by American singer Beyoncé, were screened live at the event.
“They’re the people who are there in the fields risking their lives. Why we’re here today is because we wanna tell them that we are here, we feel what you’re going through and we’re doing this [to show our] support,” Shaima Al Zarooni, IHC Chief Executive Officer, told Gulf News.
Conceived in 2008, the World Humanitarian Day is set to be one of the largest UN public outreach initiatives in history. It is celebrated every August 19 in remembrance of the 22 UN and Non-Governmental Organisation workers who lost their lives in the Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad, Iraq in 2003.
The event, which coincided with the first day of Eid Al Fitr, encouraged the people to be united in thought and action in “doing something good somewhere for someone else,” especially at this time.
“It’s a great initiative and it’s a good time that this coincides with Eid Al Fitr ‘cause Eid Al Fitr is the day of giving to needy, to all Arab region,” Al Zarooni said.
IHC is a non-religious, non-political and nonprofit global humanitarian and aid hub. It has more than 40-member organisations that send relief aid worldwide.
Through its partners, Dubai has become the one of the largest hubs worldwide that sends aid wherever needed.
The UAE’s contribution to humanitarian causes has been recognised in the region. Just recently, the UAE was lauded by international and Jordanian relief organisations for being among the first responders to deliver free medical care to Syrian refugees in Jordan.
