DP World will provide pro bono expertise and resources to help the humanitarian community respond to major disasters after joining Agility, Maersk and UPS to become part of the Logistics Emergency Teams (LET).
The Logistics Cluster, led by the United Nations’ World Food Programme, supports organisations responding to an emergency with assistance during the immediate relief efforts in the aftermath of major natural disasters such as earthquakes, storms and floods.
DP World will provide logistics services and assist in the shipment and storage of humanitarian aid with selected employees in disaster prone countries receiving LET specialist training to improve their ability in coordinating response efforts.
DP World’s operations reach 40 countries across six continents, making it well placed to provide expertise and resources after major disasters.
Its involvement in the Logistics Emergency Teams builds on its existing disaster response framework that details processes the company has in place to ensure the best collective impact, including how employees respond to catastrophes.
The company formalised its commitment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Food Programme at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
DP World’s previous contributions to disaster response efforts have included providing aid through fundraising and gifts after the 2013 Typhoon in the Philippines and the earthquake in Nepal in 2015.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “Major natural disasters can have devastating impacts and the response efforts in the immediate aftermath are crucial to ensuring urgent aid reaches the right places as quickly as possible.
“We take our responsibility to society very seriously, and by joining the Logistics Emergency Teams we can play a key role as part of a coordinated response across the trade and logistics industry. This crucial collaboration helps protect lives and we are pleased to be a part of it.”
The Logistics Emergency Teams was established in 2015, facilitated by the World Economic Forum, to help improve international responses to humanitarian crisis.
The collaboration has previously provided disaster relief during 12 emergency responses, including the earthquakes in Nepal in April and May 2015 and after the Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
Stephen Cahill, Global Logistics Cluster Coordinator at the World Food Programme, said: “Through the Logistics Emergency Teams, the WFP-led Logistics Cluster has access to the largest global network of transportation and logistics expertise, meaning life-saving assistance can be provided more quickly and efficiently following natural disasters.
“The response during the first phase of any humanitarian crisis is highly important for how local communities are impacted in the long term, and the expertise and resources that DP World brings will help support vital strategic relief efforts. The partnership between the Logistics Emergency Teams and the Global Logistics Cluster integrates public and private sector skills and knowledge for maximum impact, and we are pleased to welcome DP World to this collaboration.”
Image: DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem with World Food Programme Executive Director Ertharin Cousin at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. (Photo Credit: WFP/Jessica Andrews).
