DHL launches humanitarian logistics centre in Dubai
06 / 02 / 2019
DHL Global Forwarding has opened its Global Competence Center for Humanitarian Logistics in order to consolidate its logistics services within the sector.
The centre will co-ordinate humanitarian efforts across all DHL business divisions to provide all related services and products.
Fatima Ait Bendawad, a DHL manager with 15 years of experience in humanitarian operations, has been appointed to lead the centre.
The centre offers non-governmental organisations, aid agencies, and their suppliers and manufacturers a broad range of services including air and ocean freight, customs clearance, warehousing and local distribution of humanitarian shipments.
These services will be backed by control tower and data analytics services in order to increase visibility of operations.
“The impact of conflicts and natural disasters on the world is evident and at DHL Global Forwarding, we have the capability, expertise and global network to render resilient logistics support to organizsations who are highly committed to ensure that critical resources are delivered, to meet the needs of those who require them,” said Amadou Diallo, chief executive, DHL Global Forwarding, Middle East and Africa.
The centre can also be used to access services offered by the wider DHL Global Forwarding business.
The forwarder said it had selected Dubai as the location of the centre because of its geographical location and "longstanding reputation as a cluster for global aid and relief organisations".
Dubai currently plays host to several major logistics hubs including the International Humanitarian City, the largest humanitarian hub worldwide from which nine United Nations (UN) agencies and 48 NGOs currently run logistics operations.
“Humanitarian logistics requires dedication and coordination with different stakeholders to get critical goods to those in need, gaining trust and working with numerous partners to coordinate shipments in situations which often require short turnaround times,” said Massar Diop, director of humanitarian logistics, DHL Global Forwarding.
