Italy, Dubai Humanitarian, WFP hold 2nd Conference of Countries Hosting World’s Humanitarian Hubs
BRINDISI, Italy –The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dubai Humanitarian and The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today co-host the Second Conference of Countries Hosting the World’s Humanitarian Hubs. The event marks 25 years of operations at the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) in Brindisi and celebrates the legacy of pioneering humanitarian cooperation.
At the conference, partners came together to strengthen the Global Safety Net, an initiative designed to connect humanitarian hubs worldwide, enabling them to coordinate more closely and deliver assistance faster, more effectively, and with longer-lasting impact.
25th anniversary of UNHRD
UNHRD hubs preposition emergency supplies around the world so humanitarian organisations can respond quickly when disasters strike. Established in 2000, UNHRD Brindisi was the first hub of its kind. It offers free storage, rapid access to essential relief items, and technical support to the humanitarian community – helping accelerate emergency operations for people in need.
This collaboration between Italy and WFP began in 2000, later expanding to include Dubai Humanitarian – a non-profit Free Zone authority that hosts a UNHRD hub in Dubai. It inspired today’s global network of humanitarian logistics hubs. The model supports rapid emergency response on five continents.
“UNHRD is an integral part of the UN system, especially when it comes to delivering for others,” said Corinne Fleischer, WFP Director, Supply Chain and Delivery Division. “It is one of the most tangible expressions of WFP’s DNA: our commitment to share our expertise, network and global capacity, enabling partners to respond swiftly and efficiently to conflict and disaster. UNHRD’s success is not just a WFP achievement. It is a story of collaboration and partnership—and it could not exist without the dedication and generosity of its host governments and donors.”
Global humanitarian hubs convene for second conference
The conference convenes representatives from 11 countries that host humanitarian hubs – Australia, Cameroon, China, Jordan, Kenya and Spain – as well as the UNHRD-hosting countries of Ghana, Italy, Malaysia, Panama and the United Arab Emirates. UN agencies, regional bodies, and humanitarian organizations are also participating.
Together, attendees aimed to strengthen cooperation among hubs and build a more interconnected Global Safety Net – enhancing preparedness, innovation and sustainability in humanitarian responses.
“UNHRD is a testament to what visionary partnerships can achieve,” said Giuseppe Saba, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Humanitarian and a founder of the UNHRD network. “Together with Italy and the UAE, we’ve built a model that delivers results during global emergencies and continues to evolve to meet today’s challenges. Dubai Humanitarian will continue to strengthen the cooperation among hubs and hosting countries through a goodwill alliance, with the objective of ensuring a Global Safety Net, involving local communities, academia and the private sector.”
Building a Global Safety Net
The United Arab Emirates – home to Dubai Humanitarian and to the second UNHRD hub – plays a key role in global humanitarian logistics. Its support for the Brindisi conference, and its role as Secretariat of the initiative, reflects a shared commitment to multilateral cooperation.
Following the first conference hosted by the UAE in 2023, this second edition reinforces WFP’s leadership in humanitarian logistics and preparedness. It also highlights the role of the UNHRD Training and Simulation Academy, which supports the duty of care to humanitarian workers and strengthens capacity across the humanitarian sector.
As humanitarian crises grow more frequent and complex, the Brindisi model continues to demonstrate the impact of effective international cooperation – showing that coordinated global action can continue to innovate to deliver critical assistance faster and effectively.
# # #
About WFP:
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media
About Dubai Humanitarian:
Dubai Humanitarian, formerly known as the International Humanitarian City, is the largest humanitarian hub in the world. It was founded in 2003 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, to proactively support the efforts of the international humanitarian community.
As the only non-profit, independent, humanitarian free-zone Authority, Dubai Humanitarian hosts a diverse community of approximately 80 members. This community comprises international entities such as UN organizations, non-profits, non-governmental organizations, and commercial companies, collectively working to advance humanitarian and development efforts worldwide.