Dubai is stepping up efforts to improve the speed, reach and effectiveness of international humanitarian assistance, with its flagship humanitarian hub expanding emergency reserves, strengthening global partnerships and supporting relief missions across crisis-hit regions.
The Dubai Humanitarian Authority’s Board of Directors reviewed the organisation’s latest projects, operational progress and strategic priorities at a meeting chaired by Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Chairman of Dubai Humanitarian. Discussions focused on improving emergency preparedness and ensuring relief supplies can be mobilised efficiently when disasters and conflicts strike.
Established in 2003 under the vision of UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Humanitarian has grown into what the authority describes as the world’s largest humanitarian hub.
The facility currently accommodates 88 member entities, comprising 51 non-profit organisations, 27 commercial companies and 10 United Nations agencies and programmes. Its international workforce includes more than 500 professionals representing over 70 nationalities.
Bin Ghalita said Dubai’s humanitarian approach, shaped by Sheikh Mohammed’s vision, rests on preparedness, innovation and international cooperation. He highlighted the hub’s role in converting available resources into operational readiness and partnerships into practical assistance for communities facing emergencies.
Emergency reserves witness substantial growth
Dubai Humanitarian’s facilities cover more than 140,000 square metres, providing space for relief supplies that can be dispatched when urgent needs arise.
Data from the Humanitarian Logistics Databank shows that the average value of prepositioned humanitarian stocks has climbed to $200 million, compared with $43 million in 2017. The increase of approximately 365% reflects a significant expansion of the hub’s capacity to support emergency operations.
Medical and healthcare supplies have been a major driver of this growth. Investments in more resilient storage infrastructure and warehouses have also strengthened the system, while shelter materials and logistical equipment remain important components of its emergency reserves.
These resources are intended to help humanitarian organisations respond to conflicts, natural disasters and climate-related emergencies without having to source every essential item after a crisis begins.
Relief shipments reach more countries
The hub’s expanding stockpiles have been accompanied by an increase in humanitarian shipments. Deliveries organised by its member entities rose from 855 in 2017 to 1,188 in 2025, marking growth of around 39%.
Over the past decade, relief supplies dispatched from Dubai Humanitarian’s warehouses have reached more than 100 countries annually on average, underlining the facility’s role in international emergency logistics.
During 2026, the authority has continued to facilitate land and air shipments in support of humanitarian partners, including the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Recent operations have included the movement of emergency supplies to Mozambique, Afghanistan, Gaza and Lebanon. The hub has also supported humanitarian airlifts responding to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and helped deliver relief materials to Nepal following severe flooding.
These operations highlight the importance of having essential supplies positioned in advance, allowing humanitarian agencies to concentrate on getting assistance to affected populations when time is critical.
International partnerships remain a priority
Beyond managing relief supplies, Dubai Humanitarian is investing in knowledge-sharing and operational cooperation with international institutions.
Its partnerships include agreements with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management.
Cooperation with Italy and Panama through the Humanitarian Logistics Databank forms another part of these efforts. The authority is also exploring additional partnerships to broaden the exchange of expertise and improve coordination across humanitarian networks.
At the board meeting, members reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic preparedness, improving operational capabilities and expanding international collaboration.
The broader objective is to make humanitarian assistance more efficient, sustainable and responsive, ensuring that relief reaches vulnerable communities with fewer delays as global emergencies become increasingly complex.
