Life for Relief and Development Advocates for Strategic Partnerships and Sustainable Responses in Somalia at DIHAD 2026

MOGADISHU (SONNA): The Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development Conference (DIHAD 2026) has concluded its strategic operations at the Dubai World Trade Centre under the central theme “Humanity in Transition and Shaping the Future of Humanitarian Action”. The global summit gathered leading humanitarian institutions, relief organizations, and government bodies to formulate solutions for escalating crises, with a specific call issued for stronger, faster, and more sustainable humanitarian responses in Somalia.

The conference convened at a critical period when the international humanitarian architecture is undergoing rapid global transformations. The increasing complexity of crises, compounded by changing operating environments and growing needs, requires institutions to abandon traditional response mechanisms in favor of models that are highly flexible, innovative, and structurally sustainable.

Global Scale and Strategic Collaboration Life for Relief and Development emerged as a prominent operational voice among the 21,000 participants and visitors representing 165 countries. Khalil Meek, the organization’s Chief Development and Resource Development Officer, stated that the summit concentrated on anticipating the future of humanitarian operations amidst expanding conflicts, climate-related disasters, and widening funding gaps. He noted that the assembly of more than 1,000 institutions, 320 speakers, and various development banks provided an essential platform for decision-makers to develop integrated responses and explore concrete partnership opportunities with organizations holding access to innovation and technology.

Operational Efficiency and Field Readiness Addressing the necessity for proactive deployment, Dr. Abdul Wahab Alawneh, Regional Director for the Middle East at Life, detailed how field experience dictates continuous structural development. He outlined proposals focusing on leadership, innovation, and the capability to adapt to rapid global changes. Dr. Alawneh emphasized the critical need to transform conference commitments into practical reality by strengthening implementation, driving operational efficiency, and accurately measuring results to ensure a real and sustainable impact on communities.

Life has established a strong operational track record of arriving at the heart of emergencies from the very first day, deploying successfully to earthquake and flood-affected regions in Libya, Morocco, and Türkiye, alongside high-risk conflict zones such as Gaza and Lebanon. The strategic discussions reinforced the mandate to shift from reactive disaster response to advance preparedness, moving systematically from isolated individual efforts to robust, sustainable partnerships.

Institutional Transparency and Verified Delivery Nada Haroun, Director of Life’s Office in Jordan, framed the evolution of humanitarian action as a collective international responsibility requiring sustainable funding and uncompromising dignity for affected populations. Building on the Dubai Humanitarian Award for Most Effective Partnership received last year for their Gaza shelter-camp project, Life announced a new strategic partnership with the Emirates Red Crescent to optimize the delivery of assistance to highly underserved populations.

The conference thoroughly examined donation transparency, advocating for the strict regulation of charitable work to ensure resources reach intended beneficiaries strictly through approved channels. This rigorous approach to verified delivery has secured Life for Relief and Development a 100 percent rating from Charity Navigator, formal accreditation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and recognition by Impactful Ninja. With organizational expenditures reaching $666 million, the necessity for transparent data management and verification of organizations managing donations remains essential to protecting donors and directing resources efficiently.