The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dubai Humanitarian, and the United Nations World Food Programme co-hosted the Second Conference of Countries Hosting the World’s Humanitarian Hubs in Brindisi. The event marked 25 years of operations at the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot in Brindisi, celebrating its pioneering role in global humanitarian logistics and cooperation.
The conference focused on strengthening the Global Safety Net, an initiative that links humanitarian hubs around the world to improve coordination, accelerate emergency response, and increase the long-term impact of aid efforts. Partners and participating countries emphasized the importance of closer collaboration to ensure faster and more efficient assistance during crises.
UNHRD Brindisi, established in 2000, was the first hub in what later became a global network of humanitarian logistics centers. These hubs preposition emergency supplies so organizations can respond rapidly when disasters strike. The Brindisi facility provides free storage, rapid access to relief items, and technical support, enabling humanitarian partners to expedite emergency operations. Its success helped inspire a worldwide model now supporting relief efforts across five continents through close collaboration between Italy, WFP, and Dubai Humanitarian.
Representatives from 11 countries that host humanitarian hubs, along with UN agencies and humanitarian organizations, convened to strengthen cooperation and build a more interconnected Global Safety Net. Participants discussed improving preparedness, innovation, and sustainability to address increasingly complex humanitarian challenges.
Leaders emphasized that the UNHRD network stands as a strong example of visionary partnership. Dubai Humanitarian reaffirmed its commitment to supporting cooperation among hubs by encouraging collaboration that engages local communities, academia, and the private sector. The United Arab Emirates, which hosts the second UNHRD hub in Dubai and serves as Secretariat for the initiative, reinforced its role in advancing global humanitarian logistics.
The conference also highlighted the UNHRD Training and Simulation Academy, which strengthens the capacity of humanitarian workers and supports global preparedness. As humanitarian crises become more frequent and complex, the Brindisi model continues to demonstrate the value of coordinated international action in delivering timely, effective, and innovative humanitarian assistance.
