Guatemala aid provided by DHL team
The DHL Disaster Response Team has been deployed to Guatemala City Airport. The team arrives only a few days after Pacaya, one of Guatemala’s most active volcanoes, started erupting, also Tropical Storm “Agatha” hit the region, causing severe floods and landslides.
The storm killed more than 100 people and left over tens of thousands losing their homes and seeking rescue in temporary shelters. Due to the volcano eruption, the main airport in Guatemala City had been closed temporarily, with international help only arriving slowly.
After the government called the state of emergency the Local Emergency Management Authority (CONRED) asked for support from the DHL Disaster Response Team (DRT) for Americas on 30 May 2010. A team of 20 DRT volunteers deployed at La Aurora Airport in Guatemala City and start to set up a temporary, professional warehouse, including sorting facilities and making a full inventory of donated goods. Depending on the situation the mission is expected to last for 7-10 days initially.
Rainer Wend, executive vice president public policy and responsibility, said: “It is important that the worst affected areas in Guatemala will receive essential goods such as water, food and aid material as quickly as possible. I am therefore glad that we have been asked by the Guatemalan government to bring in our logistics expertise at the main airport to help manage incoming goods and so make the relief efforts run as quickly as possible.”
Deutsche Post DHL has been nominated for the Corporate Social Responsibility award at the 2010 World Mail Awards, for its GoHelp Disaster Response Teams and GARD programme. For more details click here. The award ceremony takes place on 15 June in Copenhagen.
