Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman, Al Habtoor Group welcomed Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the former Prime Minister of Denmark at the Al Habtoor Group head office. Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the CEO of Save the Children International.
They discussed the impact of war on children and humanitarian efforts conducted by Save the Children to help people suffering around the world because of conflict.
Thorning-Schmidt is in Dubai to attend the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development conference and exhibition (DIHAD), a two-day effect, currently taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme ‘The impact of crisis and disasters on children’.
Thorning-Schmidt said that some 50 million children around the world are suffering as a result of conflict and war, with many not surviving past the age of five years old. She emphasized that if things don’t change soon it would take 400 years to alleviate extreme world poverty.
She said that Save the Children is focusing on three key issues as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; Preventable diseases, quality education and to ensure that all children are protected and free from violence.
Al Habtoor, a well-known philanthropist who has a foundation in his name – The Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Foundation – said he is committed to collaborate with Save the Children International.
“Children are innocent victims of war. Leaders of war-torn countries or countries impacted by conflicts, have a duty to protect their citizens, particularly defenseless children,” he said. “What hope they have if they are denied their basic rights because of war? Once the war is over, the scars do not go away.”
Thorning-Schmidt, who served as prime minister of Denmark from 2011 to 2015, said the top priority for refugees after shelter is to provide children with an education.