Companies respond to Asia crisis
Agility, TNT and UPS are contributing expertise and facilities in a massive international response to flooding in the Philippines and an earthquake in Indonesia, reports the Journal of Commerce. The article continues:
The three global logistics companies are putting their local resources at the disposal of the United Nations World Food Program to expedite food supplies to hundreds of thousands of people affected by the natural disasters.
Cyclone Ketsana caused extensive flooding in the Philippines after dropping 16 inches of rain in 12 hours on 26 September. The capital city, Manila, was swamped leaving residents in desperate need of food, clean water and shelter. Authorities reported more than 240 people dead and 800,000 affected.
On 30 September, a 7.6-magitude earthquake struck near Indonesia’s Sumatra island, leveling buildings and killing 496 people, according to the National Disaster Management Agency in Jakarta.
Two more earthquakes struck Indonesia Monday, 12 October. A 5-magnitude earthquake hit North Sulawesi and a 5.1-magnitude quake shook Java, weather officials reported.
The logistics firms are collaborating with WFP in the Logistics Emergency Teams, or LETs. The LETs companies donated trucks and warehousing resources as well as logistics staff and coordination services. All staff deployed by the companies have augmented WFP’s response and are provided free of charge.
“The LETs initiative is an important component of our overall emergency response strategy and its generous contribution to these two natural disasters has been a significant boost to our response,” said Peter French, WFP deputy regional director for Asia. “The three companies involved in this initiative are proving that the private sector really can make a significant contribution during a crisis. It’s heartening to see them so readily involved and compassionate in their response.”
WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency. This year, WFP plans to feed more than 90m people in 80 countries.
