• When tragedy becomes a human story, not a statistic, the world moves
  • Creators are partners in impact: turning attention into responsible, sustained action
  • Digital influence is a force for good when used responsibly.
  • No politicising suffering: focusing on people is a moral duty as long as the crisis remains humanitarian at its core

UAE, Dubai: Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, stressed the importance of the role content creators play in strengthening the global humanitarian response by transforming crises from numbers and statistics into human stories that sustain attention and drive effective, lasting action.

This came during a fireside chat at the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026 in Dubai titled “Taking Aid to the World: Turning Attention into Action,” where she explained that, amid escalating crises and conflicts, the challenge is not only delivering aid but also keeping the world engaged with the human reality of those affected.

“The crises we talk about are not theoretical,” she said. “People need to see this reality, and creators can shed light on suffering in a way that makes it impossible to ignore.”

Al Hashimy noted that humanitarian response is a demanding journey that requires partners who keep public focus on people not headlines by bridging the gap between data and lived experience and delivering responsible, credible content that reflects facts and respects the sensitivities of affected communities.

She highlighted the UAE’s humanitarian approach, based on sustaining access and activating practical mechanisms to deliver support, including field hospitals, bakeries, evacuation of the injured, and providing medical treatment in the UAE. She said UAE assistance to Gaza has exceeded US$2 billion, reflecting the country’s commitment to continued humanitarian support and protecting the most vulnerable during crises.

She also affirmed that Sudan represents an urgent humanitarian situation that does not receive sufficient coverage, stressing the importance of building coordinated partnerships involving governments, multilateral organisations, the private sector and content creators to broaden attention and mobilise support for affected communities.

On the perceived sensitivity of addressing crises from a humanitarian perspective, she said: “When we talk about human suffering, there is nothing political about that. Focusing on the humanitarian reality simply shows what life looks like on the other side.”

The 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026 is organised by the UAE Government Media Office and is being held from 9 to 11 January at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and the Museum of the Future, under the theme “Content for Good.”

About the 1 Billion Followers Summit

The 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world’s largest summit dedicated to the content creator economy and organised by the UAE Government Media Office, aims to reach more than one billion people worldwide and brings together leading global influencers across social media platforms.

The summit explores the role of new media in driving positive societal change and supporting sustainable economic growth. It is a core part of the UAE’s commitment to supporting the creator community.

In this context, the UAE provides a wide range of business support services, in addition to a safe, multicultural environment with strong global connectivity networks.

For more information, please visit: www.1billionsummit.com