DHL, UNDP prepare Lankan airport staff for disaster relief logistics

Deutsche Post DHL, the world’s leading mail and logistics services group, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Ministry of Civil Aviation, this week launched a disaster preparednss initiative ‘Get Airports Ready for Disaster’ (GARD) workshop in Colombo.

The 4-day workshop on December 2-5 provided training to 34 Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) personnel to effectively deliver and support vital relief operations in the aftermath of a natural disaster, DHL said in a media release.

According to the Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management, Ms. S. M. Mohamed, “We consider GARD to be an essential part of improved disaster preparedness at a national level. GARD will have special significance for Sri Lanka being an island country, which depends heavily on airports to get required external assistance and inputs in the event of a national disaster”. Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Dr. T.R.C. Ruberu added, “Preparedness of airports to face national disasters will enable delivery of rapid and effective response and build capacity of the nation to be more resilient in the face of crises”.Launched in 2009, the GARD programme was co-developed by Deutsche Post DHL and UNDP with the objective of preparing airports in disaster-prone areas to respond quickly and effectively to the challenges of disaster relief logistics.

“Over the years we have conducted numerous disaster relief management exercises and have come to understand 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 this can delay – or even stop – the onward transport of lifesaving supplies.

The GARD initiative is our way of being able to pass on our logistics expertise to local communities so they may be able to operate swiftly despite the high-pressure challenges they may face in times of disaster,” said Chris Weeks, Director of Humanitarian Affairs for DHL.

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