Dubai Humanitarian has called for closer international cooperation and more diversified logistics networks to strengthen humanitarian supply chains, as overlapping crises and transport disruptions put pressure on the delivery of life-saving assistance.
The organisation highlighted the need for more resilient, connected and adaptable supply chains during AidEx 2026, held at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 21–22. Its participation focused on strengthening coordination among humanitarian agencies, international partners and private-sector logistics providers.
Dubai Humanitarian used the event to showcase its free-zone ecosystem, outline opportunities for prospective members and promote its proposed Global Safety Net initiative. The initiative aims to connect humanitarian hubs, resources, operational data and logistics capabilities across regions, helping relief organisations prepare for and respond to emergencies more effectively.
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A key part of its participation was a high-level panel discussion titled “Sustaining Humanitarian Response Under Pressure: Partners in Motion for a Stronger Global Safety Net.” The session brought together representatives from major humanitarian organisations and global logistics companies to examine how cooperation could help maintain the movement of essential supplies during periods of disruption.
Giuseppe Saba, chief executive officer of Dubai Humanitarian, said sustained dialogue among humanitarian organisations, governments and logistics partners was essential to improving preparedness.
He emphasised that resilience depends not only on responding to disruptions but also on advance planning, diversified transport routes, connected systems and partnerships that can be mobilised when emergencies arise. The objective, he said, is to turn shared priorities into practical coordination mechanisms that keep aid moving under difficult conditions.
The session was moderated by Benjamin Safari, head of supply management services at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Other participants included Alex Marianelli of the World Food Programme; Cecile Terraz of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; Grete Kjaer of A.P. Moller–Maersk; Jean-Cédric Meeùs of UNICEF; and Sayed Harris of Emirates SkyCargo.
Discussions examined the impact of armed conflicts, maritime insecurity, airspace restrictions and disruptions to established transport corridors. These challenges are compounded by growing humanitarian requirements and constraints on operational funding, placing additional pressure on organisations responsible for sourcing, storing and delivering relief supplies.
Participants considered ways to strengthen collaboration between aid agencies and commercial logistics providers, including diversifying transport routes, improving real-time visibility of shipments and enhancing coordination across procurement, compliance and emergency logistics. They also explored how humanitarian hubs and shared infrastructure could contribute to preparedness, interoperability and more effective responses.
Established in 2003, Dubai Humanitarian is an independent free-zone authority that brings together humanitarian organisations, United Nations agencies, non-profits and commercial companies. The organisation says its community comprises more than 80 members and maintains an average of approximately $200 million in pre-positioned humanitarian supplies.
Its message at AidEx was that stronger partnerships and better-connected logistics capabilities will be essential to sustaining relief operations as humanitarian needs evolve. By linking existing hubs, resources and transport networks more effectively, the Global Safety Net concept aims to help the humanitarian sector prepare for disruptions and maintain the flow of critical assistance to affected communities.
