UN units pick DHL to coordinate disaster response

UN units pick DHL to coordinate disaster response    The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have contracted with DHL to manage part of the UN's response to future disasters.
   The agreement calls for DHL, a provider of express delivery and logistics services, to set up its own global network of three disaster response teams. The first will be operational in Singapore by the spring of 2006. Two other teams will be stationed to cover the Middle East and Africa, and also Latin American and the Caribbean.
   In the event of a major catastrophe, teams comprising specially trained DHL employees will help manage crucial logistics operations in airports close to the affected region. Each team will comprise up to 100 volunteers.
   'Logistics is often the linchpin in disaster response, the 'make or break.' Getting help to people in need is critical, and for this we need a smooth supply chain. Agreements with the private sector can make this happen,' said Jan Egeland, UN emergency relief coordinator.