ActionAid Bangladesh to highlight locally led humanitarian action at Dubai conference
An ActionAid Bangladesh delegation will present Bangladesh's experience in locally led humanitarian action, community resilience and grassroots leadership at an international humanitarian conference in Dubai.
According to a press release, the 22nd Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 24 to 26 August under the theme "Humanitarianism in Transition: Shaping the Future of Humanitarian Action."
Over three days, the conference will bring together governments, UN agencies, humanitarian organisations, charities, foundations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, academics and private sector representatives to discuss changes in the global humanitarian landscape.
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ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir will lead the delegation.
The other members are Head of Humanitarian Programme Abdul Alim, Head of Innovation and Resource Mobilisation Maruf Mohammad Shehab, and Manager for Media and Communication Shabbir Rahman.
Farah said Bangladesh was on the front line of the climate crisis, but its communities were not merely recipients of humanitarian assistance.
"They are leading, organising and finding solutions every day. We have repeatedly seen that locally led, women-centred leadership and community knowledge are critical to anticipating risks, responding to crises and building resilience," she said.
"Sustainable crisis response is not about top-down aid – it is about trusting, funding and elevating local leadership that is already driving change," she added.
ActionAid will host two specialised sessions at the conference's Nexus Arena, moderated by International Humanitarian Action and Resilience Team Lead Tanjir Hossain.
The first session, titled "Locally Led Humanitarian Action in Conflict Zone: Connecting Humanitarian, Peace and Resilience", will be held on 24 August.
The session will explore how locally rooted leadership, knowledge and action can strengthen humanitarian responses in conflict-affected areas, with Farah joining as a panellist.
The second session, "People Power in Action: Women and Youth Transforming Humanitarian System", will be held on 26 August and will focus on the role of women and young people in creating more inclusive, accountable and resilient humanitarian responses.
Farah will also speak at two high-level sessions on 26 August.
At "From Global Agendas to Local Realities: Turning Vision into Impact", she will discuss how international commitments can be translated into meaningful outcomes for communities.
During "Harnessing Technology for Early Warning and Rapid Response", she will discuss how technology, local knowledge and community-led action can help warnings reach those most at risk and enable timely responses.
The delegation will also contribute to discussions on localisation, feminist humanitarian action, accountability to affected communities, equitable climate finance and locally responsive partnerships.
ActionAid Bangladesh representatives will also engage with prospective partners, global networks and funding institutions through the conference's Partnership Hub and ActionAid's designated pavilion space.
