DHL Group brings its “logistical expertise to support people affected by disasters”
In cooperation with the United Nations, DHL Group has been providing its logistics expertise and global network to support relief efforts in disaster areas since 2005 as part of the GoHelp program.
The logistics group is expanding its activities and launching GoHelp Europe. The first training of a European Disaster Response Team (DRT) with 50 participants will take place at Istanbul Airport from 19 to 21 April 2024. GoHelp is divided into two areas of operation: Disaster Relief and Disaster Risk Reduction: The DRTs are deployed to airports in affected regions upon request by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The “Get Airports Ready for Disaster” program prepares airport staff and local disaster relief organizations to manage incoming relief supplies.
“Europe is increasingly affected by climate-related crises, such as the floods in Germany and Belgium in 2021. In addition, there were the terrible earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco last year,” says Christoph Selig, Vice President Sustainability Communications and Programs at DHL Group. “In light of these events, and having already been successfully deployed in Latin America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa over the past 15 years, we are now expanding the GoHelp program to Europe. Through our commitment, we bring our core logistical expertise to support people affected by disasters and make our global network available for the greater good. In this way, we are ensuring more efficient and better coordinated disaster relief.” With the launch of GoHelp Europe, the programme now covers all disaster-prone areas worldwide.
DRTs help streamline logistical operations and provide timely and free assistance to airports in emergency areas within 72 hours. In Europe, DRT deployments can go beyond airport support. Volunteers are familiarized with various aspects of disaster relief and disaster management in theoretical and practical modules. The focus is on the optimisation of transport processes and techniques for assembling and dismantling pallets, especially for air freight pallets, closures and nets. In addition, the training teaches important skills such as how to operate forklifts and effective radio communication.
DHL Group will also host a global GoHelp conference in Istanbul on April 22 and 23. The meeting serves as a platform for exchange between internal and external partners as well as for targeted discussions and initiatives in the humanitarian sector. The target group and participants are representatives of the GoHelp program, internal experts from the DHL divisions, and partners and colleagues from the United Nations and other organizations. Another aim of the conference is to highlight the successes of the GoHelp programme, the launch of GoHelp Europe and the 15th anniversary of Get Airports Ready for Disaster.
