WHAF president Dr Hany El-Banna attended DEMAC international conference in Geneva and took part in the forward-thinking panels and discussions as the conference saw participation from diasporas, institutional humanitarian actors, relevant researchers, and policy makers who have presented and discussed current topics on diaspora engagement in humanitarian responses.

The objective of the conference were:

  • provide a space for relevant actors to come together and exchange on the latest developments in the sector;
  • connect the community working on and/or in diaspora humanitarianism; and
  • provide a platform to engage and build ties with each other.

The conference participated in creating and strengthening strong networks across the globe between the various actors. Some of essential questions discussed at the international conference were around how the diaspora engagement can be further reflected and integrated in the humanitarian system, and what could make it attractive for diaspora actors to engage with the humanitarian system.