• Center consolidates DHL GlobalForwarding's existing humanitarian logistics services for faster, more reliablesupply chain support globally
•  It will enhance the globalnetwork for humanitarian logistics services, by connecting to expert regional teamsbased in Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe
• Center's location in Dubai facilitatescollaboration with existing aid and humanitarian organizations based in thecity, as well as logistics hubs including the International Humanitarian City 

DUBAI, UAE - MediaOutReach - February 6, 2019 - DHL Global Forwarding, theleading international provider of air, sea and road freight services, hasconsolidated its portfolio of humanitarian logistics services within its first GlobalCompetence Center for Humanitarian Logistics, designed to meet growing globaldemand for these logistics services. The Center will see close coordinationacross all DHL business divisions to provide all related services and products,to meet customers' needs. A DHL veteran with over 15 years of experiencein creating, providing and implementing solutions for complex humanitarianoperations, Fatima Ait Bendawad has also been appointed to lead the Global Competence Center for Humanitarian Logistics.

DHL Global Forwarding launches Global Competence Center for Humanitarian Logistics

Disaster Response Team (DRT) from DHL helping out in the aftermath of Palu earthquake in Indonesia

Massar Diop, Director, Humantarian Logistics, DHL Global Forwarding

Fatima Ait Bendawad, Head of Global Humanitarian Logistics Competence Center, DHL Global Forwarding

Amadou Diallo, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding, Middle East and Africa

TheCenter offers non-governmental organizations, aid agencies, and their suppliersand manufacturers a broad range of services including air and ocean freight, customsclearance, warehousing and local distribution of humanitarian shipments. Theseservices will be backed by control tower and data analytics services designedto offer heightened levels of freight visibility for humanitarian situations ofany level of urgency and complexity. Organizations can also use the Center totap into DHL Global Forwarding's global network of freight connections forrapid, efficient transport of resources; as well as sector-specific servicesincluding temperature-controlled and cold-chain shipments for life sciences andhealthcare -- critical for public health assistance projects involving thelong-term delivery of medicines and medical equipment to developing areas.

"Theimpact of conflicts and natural disasters on the world is evident and at DHLGlobal Forwarding, we have the capability, expertise and global network to renderresilient logistics support to organizations who are highly committed to ensurethat critical resources are delivered, to meet the needs of those who requirethem," said Amadou Diallo, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding, Middle East and Africa.

With itsgeographical location and longstanding reputation as a cluster for global aidand relief organizations, Dubai currently plays host to several major logisticshubs including the International Humanitarian City, the largest humanitarianhub worldwide from which nine United Nations (UN) agencies and 48 NGOscurrently run logistics operations.[1]The Center will play the pivotal role of coordinating humanitarianlogistics services globally, by leveraging expertise in regional hubs in Sub-Saharan Africaand Europe -- to optimize delivery schedule and routes to areas which need theresources.

DHL hasextensive experience in disaster management activities -- which includes the deploymentof its Disaster Response Teams (DRT) consisting of DHL experts to provideon-ground logistics support in natural disaster zones; and the Get AirportsReady for Disasters (GARD) program, which runs joint workshops with the UNDevelopment Programme to prepare local airport management for the logisticalissues associated with natural disaster situations.

"Thelevel of preparedness -- whether it be expedited customs clearances, readinessto handle dangerous goods like chemicals or medicines, or processes foron-ground collaboration between multiple agencies[2]-- directly correlates with the efficiency of humanitarian logistics. Our workon the front line, has helped us build and maintain familiarity with thenuances of compliance, regulation and international standards that apply tomovements of critical goods," said Fatima Ait Bendawad, Head of GlobalHumanitarian Logistics Competence Center, DHL Global Forwarding.

"Humanitarianlogistics requires dedication and coordination with different stakeholders toget critical goods to those in need, gaining trust and working with numerouspartners to coordinate shipments in situations which often require shortturnaround times," said Massar Diop, Director of Humanitarian Logistics, DHLGlobal Forwarding.

Withmore than a decade of experience working in this field, Massar has built astrong network of relationships with key UN agencies, NGOs and suppliers, toprovide the best solutions to their needs, in different parts of the world.

For moreinformation about the Global Competence Center forHumanitarian Logistics in Dubai please click here.

DHL -- The logistics company for theworld

DHL is the leading global brand in thelogistics industry. Our DHL family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolioof logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery,e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, airand ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 360,000employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connectspeople and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. Withspecialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology,life sciences and healthcare, energy, automotive and retail, a provencommitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developingmarkets, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world".

DHL ispart of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 60billion euros in 2017.