Princess Haya briefs Governor-General of Australia about International Humanitarian City's mission

The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife, Lady Cosgrove, visited the International Humanitarian City (IHC) and Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital in Dubai today as part of a visit to the UAE.

Sir Peter and Lady Cosgrove, accompanied by UN Messenger of Peace and Chairperson of the IHC, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, were received at IHC by members of the IHC Board of Directors, the CEO, and representatives of international humanitarian organisations and UN agencies, including the Australian NGO, The Fred Hollows Foundation.

In addition to a tour of its vast warehouse facilities, the IHC organised an exhibition illustrating the work of the humanitarian organisations operating at IHC.

Staff from various IHC member organisations were present to comment on the photo gallery reflecting the impact of their Dubai-based work in different disaster-stricken zones such as Syria and Afghanistan. Relief items and humanitarian assets sent by IHC members to various parts of the world were also on display.

Sir Peter Cosgrove said: "The International Humanitarian City is an important example of non-government organisations coming together to help people in desperate situations around the world. This significant facility ensures shelter, food and equipment reaches those who need it, including in the Asia Pacific region. I congratulate Princess Haya and the IHC team for the difference they make for us all."

The International Humanitarian City is the largest humanitarian hub in the world, providing logistics support to all its members and boosting their capacities to respond to crises.

The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also visited Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital (Al Jalila Children’s). They were received by Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority, Her Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

He toured the state-of-the-art, 200-bed child and family friendly facility, which provides tertiary and quaternary paediatric healthcare services. During the visit, he commended the technology behind the first automated pharmacy in Dubai and innovative diagnostic imaging rooms designed for children, which the Hospital features. Sir Peter Cosgrove was briefed on the latest equipment used in the facility and the environmentally friendly technology used to reduce the Hospital’s carbon footprint.

Dr. Mohamad Al Awadhi, COO of Al Jalila Children’s, said: "We are both delighted and honoured to receive General Sir Peter Cosgrove, the Governor-General of Australia, and Lady Cosgrove. Al Jalila Children’s is making strong strides towards achieving its objective of being one of the top ten paediatric hospitals in the world. Through today’s visit, we were very proud to show them a Dubai-made medical landmark that represents innovation, medical excellence and quality life care for children across the region."

Al Jalila Children’s is UAE’s only children’s hospital and has a team of highly qualified medical and clinical experts contributing to establishing new standards of paediatric healthcare excellence in the region.

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