DHL: when disasters strike, logistics become a lifeline
Following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, DHL Group deployed its Disaster Response Team (DRT) to help coordinate the movement of critical aid from governments, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private-sector partners across the Americas.
DHL’s Disaster Response Team forms part of the company’s global GoHelp disaster management program, which leverages DHL’s logistics expertise and global network to support disaster response efforts worldwide.
Since the emergency began, DHL has mobilized its air network to operate three humanitarian aid flights to Venezuela, helping relief organizations and government partners move critical supplies into affected areas.
The first flight, operated on June 27, transported approximately 25 tons of search-and-rescue equipment and humanitarian supplies collected by the governments of Panama and Costa Rica to support immediate response efforts on the ground.
A second DHL humanitarian flight, operated on July 7 from Panama City to Caracas, transported 44 tons of humanitarian aid collected through collaboration with humanitarian organizations, government agencies, and private-sector partners from across the region.
On July 9, a third DHL flight arrived in Venezuela with another 40 tons of humanitarian aid.
The shipments have included emergency shelter materials, hygiene kits, medical supplies, food, blankets, solar lanterns, mosquito nets, kitchen kits, water containers, and other essential relief items.
The relief efforts have included donations and humanitarian cargo from the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Community Organized Relief Effort in coordination with Airlink, (a humanitarian logistics organization) , partners with supplies prepositioned in the WFP/United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD), the Costa Rica National Emergency Commission (CNE), the Venezuelan-Ecuadorian Chamber of Commerce, government partners in Panama, among others.
According to UNICEF, an estimated 1.8 million people, including 680,000 children, require humanitarian assistance following the earthquakes. The earthquakes caused widespread destruction, loss of life, displacement, and significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and essential services across affected communities.
To prepare for the humanitarian flights, more than 65 DHL employee volunteers in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, Miami, and other locations across the Americas helped sort, consolidate, and palletize relief supplies. The donations were then consolidated at DHL Express’ regional logistics hub at Panama’s Tocumen International Airport for onward delivery to Venezuela.
“At DHL, we put people first, and when disasters strike, logistics become a lifeline,” said Jalila Carrillo Tabash, DHL Express CEO for Central and South America. “We are proud to leverage our people, network, and expertise to support humanitarian aid efforts during times of greatest need. The collaboration demonstrated across our Americas region in support of Venezuela reflects our shared commitment to helping affected communities receive critical assistance as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Volunteers from DHL’s Disaster Response Team have also been working on the ground in Venezuela since June 26, supporting humanitarian partners and local authorities in ongoing response efforts.
“The response to this disaster has demonstrated the power of collaboration across governments, humanitarian organizations, and the private sector,” said Gilberto Castro, Head of DHL’s Disaster Response Team (DRT) for the Americas. “From collecting and preparing relief supplies in multiple countries to coordinating airlift operations and receiving aid in Venezuela, our teams have worked side by side with partners across the region to help ensure essential assistance reaches affected communities as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Beyond the immediate response, DHL Group continues to invest in strengthening humanitarian logistics capabilities worldwide. The company recently launched the DHL Academy of Humanitarian Logistics, a capacity-building initiative designed to provide humanitarian organizations with practical logistics training and expertise to enhance disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities.
