Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed receives top humanitarian award

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces honoured for helping people in need

A woman walks past the stand for the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives philanthropic foundation, at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference (Dihad). Chris Whiteoak / The National

A man attending Dihad views a display on the UAE's global Waterfalls Initiative, which aims to deliver web-based continuous education for one million doctors and other medical staff. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The annual event seeks to serve the needs of the international humanitarian aid and development community in the Middle East, Africa and the world. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dihad brings together decision-makers from NGOs, UN agencies, charities and governmental bodies, together with aid, education and construction providers from the private sector. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, visits Dihad. The event seeks to help decision-makers address the needs of people affected by crises and disasters. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Suhaila Shaaban, who has volunteered abroad for the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, speaks at the UAE water aid booth at Dihad. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The stand for the Zayed charitable and humanitarian foundation, which was founded by Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, at Dihad. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, was honoured for his commitment to humanitarianism.

Dubai International Human Aid and Development (Dihad) conference gave Sheikh Mohamed the "international personality award for humanitarian relief" for his support in strengthening aid and for the UAE's role in providing medical aid and support for people around the world, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, accepted the award on Sheikh Mohamed's behalf, which was presented by Gerhard Putman-Cramer, director of the conference's scientific board.

The award is one of the most prominent of its kind and honours those who play a major role in supporting people in need and the international institutions and organisations working in humanitarian relief.

The three-day conference, meanwhile, brought together decision-makers from non-government organisations, UN agencies, charities and government bodies, together with aid, education and construction providers from the private sector.

This year it focused on how coronavirus was affecting Africa.

Patrick Youssef, the International Committee of the Red Cross Africa director, expressed concern at the "massive" socio-economic impact the virus would have on the continent in the years to come, while Ann Encontre, who works for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Ethiopia, said attempts to curb the spread of Covid-19 are doomed to failure unless refugees are included in vaccination drives.

The conference ends on Wednesday.