On World Humanitarian Day 2024, the UAE once again demonstrated its deep commitment to international humanitarian principles — and the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO) was front and centre of that message.
Abdullah Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of ZHO, made clear that humanitarian action is not a policy position but a reflection of core human values: love, empathy, and solidarity.
Al Humaidan: Humanitarianism Is Part of Our Nature
Speaking on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day 2024, Al Humaidan underlined that humanitarian actions are an inherent part of humaneness itself. His remarks were delivered in the context of the UAE's continued support for the principles of international humanitarian law, carried out under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
"World Humanitarian Day is a constant call to remember the spirit and the commitment of humanitarian workers worldwide," he said.
Al Humaidan paid tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose visionary humanitarian outreach laid the foundation for the UAE's global giving culture — a legacy the country continues to build upon today.
Humanitarian Work Belongs to Everyone
The Secretary-General also pushed back on the idea that humanitarianism is the preserve of large international organisations or foreign institutions. He emphasised that it belongs to ordinary people as much as to governments and NGOs.
ZHO, he noted, participates in both national and international charitable initiatives, reinforcing the UAE's message of solidarity and practical assistance wherever it is needed.
ZHO's Humanitarian Actions in 2024
Al Humaidan pointed to several concrete examples of ZHO's work that reflect these values in action during 2024:
- Tarahum – For Gaza: ZHO contributed to the nationwide campaign supporting Palestinian communities, which included distributing prosthetic limbs to residents of the UAE's Humanitarian City. - Assistive devices for students in Zambia: ZHO provided hearing aids and wheelchairs to students at a school in Eastern Zambia, extending the UAE's reach of care across continents.
These efforts, Al Humaidan said, illustrate the UAE's consistent commitment to helping those in need — regardless of geography or background.
A Call to Sustain Global Humanitarian Efforts
The Secretary-General's message on World Humanitarian Day 2024 was ultimately a call to action: to sustain and deepen global humanitarian commitments, and to keep alive the spirit of solidarity that defines the UAE's national identity.
ZHO's work — from Gaza to Zambia — stands as a practical embodiment of that call.
