UN Under Secretary-General visits International Humanitarian City

UN Messenger of Peace and Chairperson of International Humanitarian City, HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, received the United Nations Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, at the International Humanitarian City (IHC).

Representatives of UN Agencies and other international organisations hosted at IHC were also present at the meeting, along with the IHC Chief Executive Officer.

The Under Secretary-General toured IHC warehouses where he witnessed an emergency operation simulation for visiting students. As part of the United Nations Children's Fund's initiative to celebrate the World Children’s Day, Dubai’s International Humanitarian City handed over its management to a group of 30 children who raised their voices in support of children’s rights and wellness.

The young leaders spoke to Mark Lowcock about their relief items and day-to-day operations. They also interviewed him, focusing on the worldwide humanitarian situation and related challenges and solutions. "What I saw today is fantastic, and the best thing about it was the youngest people taking the lead," said Lowcock. "Many elements are needed to better coordinate emergency responses. The most important thing would be logistics, and the work IHC does in this regard," he added.

The 10-year-old students from GEMS Modern Academy School were taken, earlier in the morning, on a unique tour of IHC during which they learned about its mission as a humanitarian hub as well as its role in facilitating emergency responses across the globe. Divided into groups based on the main sectors of humanitarian action, such as water, sanitation, food, shelter, telecommunications, health, and education, they acted as humanitarian workers. They packed food kits, checked the shelter materials, and reviewed water and sanitation services.

During the day, the children had the opportunity to learn more about their rights. In a pledge of good faith towards sustainable development and humanitarian solidarity with the world’s most disadvantaged children, they expressed their ideas and commitment to stand with the most vulnerable.

The event was backed by IHC members, including UN agencies and other international organisations: the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the Emirates Red Crescent.