International express operators are busy preparing for emergency relief operations in flood-hitPakistan, officials told CEP-Research today as worldwide humanitarian aid efforts gathered pace and
donations increased significantly.Both TNT and DHL confirmed that they are in talks with international aid organisations over whatactivities are necessary to help get vitally-needed supplies distributed to millions of peoplestranded by the widespread flooding in the Asian country.
United Nations agencies yesterday scaled up aid delivery in affected areas despite enormouslogistical challenges posed by the devastated infrastructure that has left many areas accessibleonly by air after roads and bridges were destroyed by the deluge.
“We’re putting the final pieces in place on a distribution system which can reach the hugenumber of people in need in the shortest possible time,” said Wolfgang Herbinger, the countrydirector of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Pakistan. “We have assessments completed in mostof the country so we know where needs are, we have NGO partners to do the distributions, and – atleast for now – a steady supply of food leaving our warehouses,” he added.
With up to six million people estimated to need food assistance, the WFP expected to havereached one million people with a one-month food ration by yesterday. It hopes to reach two millionmore people with food aid over the next two weeks. Its stocks are sufficient for this first roundof emergency deliveries. The WFP has about 200 trucks delivering supplies and is using 10helicopters and even mules to get aid into remote areas which cannot be reached by truck. It hasset up new logistics hubs and warehouse facilities at Multan in Punjab and Sukkur in Sindh.
TNT, which has a long-running partnership with the WFP, said the aid organisation had contactedthe UN Logistics Emergency Team, comprising TNT, Agility and UPS, regarding help. “We have made anoffer, which includes warehouse space and handling services,” a spokesman told CEP-Research. “WFPis thoroughly looking into it and we will act upon their recommendations,” he added. TNT Pakistan,with a workforce of 681 staff, has offered a warehouse, a range of ground services and deliverysupport, while Agility is understood to have offered a warehouse as well.
A Deutsche Post DHL spokesman said: “We are preparing ourselves and making the necessarypreparations. We are in close contact with the UN but at present there has not been a request forsupport.” The company cooperates with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs(OCHA) and in the past has regularly sent in Disaster Relief Teams to provide logistical support,particularly at airports.
Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has airlifted in up to 100 tonnes ofemergency supplies, including tents and plastic sheets for people forced to sleep in the open or inpublic buildings. “UNHCR continues to face a logistical challenge in getting aid in fast enough tomeet this still unfolding crisis,” a spokesperson said. “Our supplies are dwindling. We need moreairlifts and massive amounts of funding to meet the still unfolding crisis.”
However, the UN said today that it has now secured about half of the $459 million needed to fundthe initial relief activities in Pakistan following an upturn in international donations in recentdays as governments, organisations and individuals realised the scale of the disaster.Nevertheless, continued financial support remains necessary, a spokesman said.
