Powerful New Documentary Spotlights World’s Largest Humanitarian Logistics Hub in Dubai

Dubai Humanitarian, the world’s largest humanitarian logistics hub, has unveiled a new documentary, Coming Together: The Dubai Humanitarian Story – a gripping behind-the-scenes look at the premier disaster response facility. From devastating floods in Pakistan to the escalating conflict in Gaza, the film captures real-time coordination between United Nations agencies, international NGOs, and government partners. It reveals how Dubai Humanitarian’s 150,000 sqm of warehouses – donated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai – enables life-saving supplies like vaccines, health kits, and clean water to reach crisis zones within hours.

The documentary highlights the critical role of partners including the UN World Food Programme and UNHCR, and government logistical partners like Dubai Customs and Emirates Airline, whose close collaboration ensure relief efforts are swift, seamless, and scalable. Their combined expertise in customs clearance, logistics, and airlift capacity has proven vital in overcoming the most complex humanitarian challenges and ensuring response and aid are provided in record time. This new documentary also underscores the human stories behind the headlines – of aid workers, customs officials, and airline crews working as one to deliver hope.

“Dubai Humanitarian is more than a logistics hub – it’s a global lifeline,” said Giuseppe Saba, CEO, Dubai Humanitarian, “This film shows what’s possible when the world comes together, and when the UAE leads with purpose.”

Saba added: “2025 continues to bring extraordinary global challenges. Working alongside our UN partners and other relief organisations, in just the first half of the year Dubai Humanitarian facilitated the delivery of over AED 179.2 million in aid to 81 countries across the globe, with the need for shelter and health aid being particularly striking. We remain steadfast in our commitment to stand with our international humanitarian community in safeguarding the most vulnerable.”

Head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) UAE, Sajeda Shawa, said: “We need to make sure humanitarian aid is delivered based on humanitarian principles – with no discrimination and with equality. Being the voice of those who have no voice is not a luxury – it’s a responsibility, an honour and a life calling.”

Dubai Humanitarian’s one of a kind, AI-powered Humanitarian Logistics Databank enables real-time analytics, demand forecasting, and stock visibility across time zones. It helps aid agencies anticipate needs, avoid price spikes, and prepare for seasonal surges, such as monsoon-related shelter demand in Bangladesh.

Dubai’s strategic location, just 10 minutes from Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum Airport, allows humanitarian cargo to reach two-thirds of the world’s hazard-prone population within 4 to 8 hours. As the databank expands to 11 hubs, aid will be increasingly sourced locally, reducing carbon emissions and delivery times.

The powerful behind the scenes documentary premiers on World Humanitarian Day, 19 August, on the Dubai Humanitarian YouTube channel