Dubai Humanitarian & European Commission Boost Global Aid Collaboration

Dubai Humanitarian has entered into a new strategic partnership with the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), part of the European Commission. The agreement was formalized during the European Humanitarian Forum in Brussels. It was signed by Maciej Popowski, Director-General of DG ECHO, and Giuseppe Saba, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Humanitarian. The signing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development Affairs and International Organizations, and His Excellency Mohamed Al Sahlawi, UAE Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the EU.

Enhancing Coordination in Humanitarian Aid Delivery

The newly signed Administrative Arrangement outlines a framework for closer cooperation in humanitarian logistics, emergency planning, and disaster response. Both organizations have committed to working together to share data, improve operational coordination, and drive sustainable innovations within humanitarian supply chains. A key focus of the partnership is improving the efficiency and reach of relief efforts through joint operations and enhanced management of pre-positioned aid resources.

Giuseppe Saba, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Humanitarian, stated, “This is our shared ambition to enhance the agility, coordination, and sustainability of humanitarian emergency response through partnership. From our unique strategic position as the largest humanitarian hub, Dubai Humanitarian plays an enabling and proactive role in facilitating the humanitarian community to deliver aid in a timely and efficient manner. We look forward to working more closely with DG ECHO to strengthen operational preparedness and support for a more effective humanitarian action worldwide.”

Reflecting on the signing, Maciej Popowski, Director-General of DG ECHO said: “This arrangement reflects our shared commitment to more effective and agile humanitarian action. By deepening our cooperation with Dubai Humanitarian, we are investing in faster, more coordinated responses to crises—built on innovation, knowledge exchange, and strategic preparedness. Together, we aim to better serve those most in need, wherever they are.”

Promoting Best Practices and Innovation

Under the agreement, Dubai Humanitarian and DG ECHO will collaborate to exchange expertise and best practices in areas such as quality control, sustainability, and operational performance. There are also plans to co-create training programs aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness at both local and regional levels. Additionally, the partners will host joint forums and workshops involving stakeholders from academia, disaster response agencies, and the private sector.

Building Awareness and a Unified Humanitarian Message

The collaboration also extends to public outreach. DG ECHO and Dubai Humanitarian will align their communication efforts to advocate for more coordinated and resilient humanitarian systems. Through joint campaigns and public engagement, the two entities aim to highlight the critical role of international cooperation in delivering effective humanitarian aid.