Dubai, UAE – The European Union Ambassador to the UAE, Lucie Berger, alongside a high-level delegation from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), visited the Dubai Humanitarian facilities today. The delegation, comprising Tristan Simonart, Team Leader for Civil Protection; Jorg Roos, Team Leader for Cooperation with Gulf States; and Dragos Vacarescu, Liaison Officer for the EU Delegation to the UAE, was warmly welcomed by Giuseppe Saba, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Humanitarian.
Giuseppe Saba emphasized the longstanding and robust cooperation between Dubai Humanitarian and its partners, stating, “Dubai Humanitarian is a unique free zone authority. It is the expression of the profound commitment of the Government of Dubai to serve and support the international humanitarian community from Dubai to the world. Together with our partners and after 20 years of action, notably focused on relief operations, we are shaping the future of sustainable humanitarian action.”
Lucie Berger highlighted the critical role of ECHO in global humanitarian efforts, saying, “With humanitarian needs rising exponentially, delivering essential goods and services to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity is more important than ever. The EU, through ECHO, plays a pivotal role in this endeavor, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most efficiently and effectively. Our visit to the Dubai Humanitarian facilities underscores our commitment to international cooperation and the vital work being done here to support vulnerable communities worldwide.”
The visit aimed to explore areas for exchange and experience sharing, recognizing ECHO as a significant humanitarian actor and donor in humanitarian logistics. Discussions focused on the importance of logistics as a key area for mutual learning and collaboration. The delegation expressed a strong interest in working together within the UAE and the region, and also with other donors, academia, and the private sector. They also explored the Humanitarian Logistics Databank, seeking ways to further this collaboration to ensure the humanitarian sector remains at the forefront of progress and effectively addresses emerging challenges.