DHL and UNDP train Colombo airport staff in disaster relief logistics

Deutsche Post DHL and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have kicked off a disasterpreparedness initiative “Get Airports Ready for Disaster” (GARD) in Colombo, Sri Lanka together

They are holding a workshop from 2 to 5 December to provide training to 34 employees ofBandaranaike International Airport  with the goal of training them in effectively deliveringand supporting vital relief operations after a natural disaster.

Participants at the workshop will get taught on GARD methods, airport assessment and theformulation of an action plan. Trainers are DHL experts who conduct the training on a pro-bonobasis.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management, Ms. S. M. Mohamed, said: “We consider GARDto be an essential part of improved disaster preparedness at a national level. GARD will havespecial significance for Sri Lanka being an island country, which depends heavily on airports toget required external assistance and inputs in the event of a national disaster. We look forward togaining from the DHL-UNDP experience at the GARD workshop and getting our airports prepared to facedisasters of all scales.”

DHL and UNDP co-developed and launched the GARD programme in 2009 to prepare airports indisaster-prone areas to effectively challenge disaster relief logistics. The programme has so farbeen implemented at 27 airports globally.

“Over the years we have conducted numerous disaster relief management exercises and have come tounderstand that efficient airport logistics are critical to getting aid to the people who need it.Airports can quickly become overwhelmed with the large volume of incoming relief supplies, and thiscan delay — or even stop — the onward transport of lifesaving supplies. The GARDinitiative is our way of being able to pass on our logistics expertise to local communities so theymay be able to operate swiftly despite the high-pressure challenges they may face in times ofdisaster,” explained Chris Weeks, Director of Humanitarian Affairs for DHL.

In addition to the GARD concept, DHL’s disaster management program also includes the DHLDisaster Response Teams (DRT), which organise logistics at airports after a disaster. Both conceptsare part of DHL’s Corporate Responsibility Program “Living Responsibility” and are offered free ofcharge in partnership with the UNDP.