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Rivals get together to help the Philippines

[ November 27, 2013   //   ]

Agility, Maersk, TNT Express, and UPS – the four companies that make up the Logistics Emergency Teams (LETs) to humanitarian relief efforts during natural disasters – are offering vital warehousing, transport, and logistics support in the current emergency in the Central Philippines. Described as the first multi-company commitment to the humanitarian sector, the LETs were launched in 2008 at the World Economic Forum Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

The LETs are responding to a request for assistance by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) which leads the Logistics Cluster and coordinates the logistical response of the humanitarian community in times of disaster. Head of the Logistics Cluster, Thomas Thompson, explained: “Partnership and close coordination of relief efforts is essential during a large-scale disaster such as Typhoon Haiyan. We are fortunate to have the expertise and many offers of support from our LET partners, who have come together to help the Filipino people.”

Assistance from the LET partners includes logistical support, such as the facilitation of customs guidance for relief goods brought in by the humanitarian community. In addition to staff and expertise, LET partners have also offered access to assets such as trucks, vessels, barges, forklifts, refrigerated containers and warehouses.

“Agility and its LET partners are ready to help the Philippine government speed assistance to the areas and people most in need,” added Agility chairman, Tarek Sultan. “Chaos and disorder inevitably follow a tragedy of this magnitude. The LET teams can deploy experienced logistics professionals and pool resources in a way that increase the efficiency of efforts led by the government and humanitarian groups.”

In addition to providing warehousing and transport assets, the LET partners provide expertise and local knowledge to support the response of the entire humanitarian community in getting food, shelter, and health and water sanitation items to the communities most affected.

 

 

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