Dubai Humanitarian highlights supply chain resilience at AidEx Geneva 2026
Dubai Humanitarian is showcasing its humanitarian logistics network and promoting more resilient, connected and diversified supply chains at AidEx 2026, held in Geneva, Switzerland.
The participation brings together humanitarian organisations, international partners and commercial companies to explore ways to strengthen global relief operations. Dubai Humanitarian is using the exhibition to highlight opportunities within its free zone, encourage new organisations to join its network and advance its vision of a Global Safety Net linking humanitarian hubs, resources, data and logistics capabilities across regions.
As part of the event, Dubai Humanitarian convened a high-level session titled Sustaining Humanitarian Response Under Pressure: Partners in Motion for a Stronger Global Safety Net. The session brought together humanitarian organisations and global logistics providers to discuss how international cooperation and diversified supply chains can help maintain the delivery of life-saving assistance during disruptions.
Humanitarian supply chains face growing pressure
Giuseppe Saba, CEO of Dubai Humanitarian, said sustained dialogue between humanitarian organisations, governments and logistics partners was essential to strengthening preparedness.
He said resilience requires more than responding to disruptions, highlighting the importance of preparedness, alternative transport routes, connected systems and partnerships that can be mobilised when needed.
The panel was moderated by Benjamin Safari, Head of Supply Management Service at the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Participants included Alex Marianelli, Chief Inter-Agency Supply Chain Services at the World Food Programme; Cecile Terraz, Global Director of Humanitarian Services and Supply Chain Management at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; Grete Kjaer, Global Key Client Manager for Aid and Relief at A.P. Moller–Maersk; Jean-Cédric Meeùs, Chief of Global Transport and Logistics at UNICEF; and Sayed Harris, Manager of Cargo Global Commercial and Special Products at Emirates SkyCargo.
Discussions focused on the impact of conflicts, maritime insecurity, airspace restrictions and transport corridor disruptions on humanitarian operations. Participants also considered how rising humanitarian needs and constrained funding are placing additional pressure on relief efforts.
The panel examined ways for humanitarian organisations and private-sector logistics providers to work more closely to anticipate disruptions, diversify transport routes, improve supply visibility and strengthen coordination across procurement, compliance and emergency logistics.
Role of humanitarian hubs in global preparedness
Participants also discussed how humanitarian hubs can support emergency preparedness by improving coordination, information sharing and the use of existing infrastructure and pre-positioned resources.
Greater interoperability between systems and more effective coordination across organisations were identified as important areas for strengthening humanitarian supply networks and maintaining the movement of essential aid during crises.
Established in 2003 under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Humanitarian is an independent free-zone authority and describes itself as the world’s largest humanitarian hub.
It hosts more than 80 members, including United Nations organisations, non-profit organisations and commercial companies. According to the organisation, it maintains an average of $200 million in pre-positioned humanitarian supplies.
Through its participation at AidEx 2026, Dubai Humanitarian aims to strengthen partnerships and encourage practical approaches to making international humanitarian supply chains more connected, diversified and prepared for future disruptions.
