Delivering Aid Effectively: Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

5-Day Professional Training Course

Building Life-Saving Supply Chains Across MENA & Africa

As the Middle East and North Africa faces 92.6 million people requiring humanitarian assistance in 2026, and Africa confronts complex emergencies from conflicts to climate disasters, humanitarian professionals require specialized logistics competencies. This 5-day programme equips UN agency personnel, NGO staff, government officials, Red Crescent/Red Cross professionals, and CSR teams with practical skills to deliver life-saving aid effectively throughout Saudi Arabia, Oman, GCC nations, and Africa.

With Saudi Arabia hosting the 2026 UN Global Supply Chain Forum, Dubai’s humanitarian logistics leadership, and GCC’s substantial aid contributions, this course addresses coordination frameworks, procurement procedures, transportation challenges, distribution methodologies, and accountability standards essential for effective humanitarian response.

5-DAY COURSE OUTLINE

DAY 1: Humanitarian Principles & Emergency Response

Module 1.1: Humanitarian Supply Chain Fundamentals
Humanitarian logistics principles, humanitarian imperative (humanity, neutrality, impartiality, independence), UN coordination mechanisms (OCHA, Logistics Cluster/WFP), Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, regional architecture including KSrelief, UAE humanitarian initiatives, and African Union structures.

Module 1.2: Emergency Response & Coordination
Response phases (preparedness, immediate response, recovery), IASC cluster approach, Humanitarian Programme Cycle, needs assessment methodologies, regional coordination (IGAD, ECOWAS, SADC).

Module 1.3: Needs Assessment & Response Planning
MIRA assessments, beneficiary targeting, vulnerability analysis, response plan development, resource mobilization, donor engagement addressing access constraints and data limitations.

Module 1.4: Humanitarian Standards & Accountability
Sphere Standards, Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), accountability to affected populations (AAP), protection mainstreaming, “do no harm,” PSEA, cultural sensitivities, gender and disability inclusion.

DAY 2: Humanitarian Procurement & Supply

Module 2.1: Emergency Procurement
Humanitarian procurement balancing speed and compliance, UN procurement principles, competitive bidding, direct contracting, emergency exemptions, local market capacity, quality assurance, customs complexities.

Module 2.2: Prepositioning & Stock Management
Strategic prepositioning, UNHRD network, regional warehousing, emergency stockpile composition (food, NFIs, medical, WASH, shelter), rotation procedures, shelf-life management, replenishment planning.

Module 2.3: Supplier Management & Quality
Supplier qualification, performance monitoring, capacity building, quality control inspections, commodity handling standards, technical specifications, acceptance procedures.

Module 2.4: Cash-Based Interventions
Cash and voucher assistance (CVA), market assessments, feasibility analysis, delivery mechanisms (cash transfers, e-cards), financial service providers, post-distribution monitoring, market-based programming.

DAY 3: Transportation & Distribution

Module 3.1: Humanitarian Transportation
Transportation across challenging terrain, modal selection (road, air, water, animal transport), convoy management, security protocols, driver safety, seasonal accessibility, checkpoint negotiations, fuel constraints.

Module 3.2: Customs & Cross-Border Operations
Customs exemption frameworks, duty-free agreements, documentation (bills of lading, packing lists, permits), GCC Customs Union, African REC protocols, diplomatic engagement, customs liaison.

Module 3.3: Distribution Operations
Distribution site selection, beneficiary registration, token systems, queue management, community-based distribution, grievance mechanisms, gender-sensitive approaches, special needs accommodations.

Module 3.4: Last-Mile Delivery & Access
Overcoming access constraints, mobile distribution teams, humanitarian access negotiation, engagement with armed groups, security risk management, drone technology, satellite connectivity, hard-to-reach populations.

DAY 4: Warehouse Management & Technology

Module 4.1: Warehouse Operations
Receiving procedures, storage organization, Stack Management System, commodity handling, FEFO rotation, pest control, temperature monitoring, security systems, temporary warehousing solutions, mobile storage units.

Module 4.2: Inventory Management Systems
Real-time visibility systems, perpetual inventory, cycle counting, warehouse management software, barcode/RFID tracking, LCL management, pipeline monitoring, consumption forecasting, replenishment planning.

Module 4.3: Information Management
Logistics Cluster information products, operational maps, contact directories, service matrices, GIS mapping, accessibility analysis, 3W mapping, gap analysis, resource tracking.

Module 4.4: Technology Innovation
UAV/drone delivery, blockchain transparency, biometric registration, AI optimization, mobile data collection, satellite imagery, digital cash transfers, technology adoption considerations, cost-effectiveness.

DAY 5: Financial Management & Excellence

Module 5.1: Financial Management & Compliance
Budget tracking, expenditure controls, audit requirements, donor compliance, financial reporting, anti-fraud measures, procurement audit trails, cost-effectiveness analysis, internal controls, accountability mechanisms.

Module 5.2: Resource Mobilization
UN CERF, pooled funds, bilateral donors, private partnerships, proposal development, donor reporting, humanitarian financing trends, localization agenda, GCC contributions, Islamic philanthropy.

Module 5.3: Resilience & Development Nexus
Transitioning relief to development, resilience programming, community capacity strengthening, livelihoods restoration, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian-development-peace nexus, local capacity building, exit strategies.

Module 5.4: Performance Management
KPIs (lead times, cost per beneficiary, delivery accuracy, satisfaction), monitoring and evaluation, real-time dashboards, lessons learned, after-action reviews, continuous improvement, knowledge management.

Module 5.5: Crisis Simulation Exercise
Comprehensive humanitarian logistics simulation managing complex emergency, rapid needs assessment, emergency procurement, transportation planning, distribution coordination, information management, team-based realistic challenges, case studies (Yemen, Syria, Ethiopia, Cyclone Idai, Sudan).

TARGET AUDIENCE

✓ UN Agency Logistics & Programme Officers
✓ International & Local NGO Staff
✓ Red Crescent/Red Cross Personnel
✓ Government Humanitarian Officials
✓ Emergency Response Teams
✓ Corporate CSR Managers
✓ Development Professionals
✓ Military/Civil Defense Units

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Master humanitarian logistics coordination, emergency procurement, transportation in challenging environments, distribution methodologies, and accountability frameworks. Gain field-ready competencies aligning with humanitarian standards, operational frameworks, and best practices recognized throughout the international humanitarian community.

Professional Benefits: Internationally recognized credentials, practical field-applicable skills, humanitarian community networking, enhanced employability across UN agencies and NGOs, meaningful contribution to saving lives across Middle East and Africa’s complex emergencies.

TRAINING DELIVERY

Highly experiential learning combining humanitarian standards with practical exercises, real-world case studies, logistics simulations, coordination role-plays, and field practitioner insights.

Format Options:
🌍 In-Person: Riyadh, Dubai, Muscat, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Dakar, Cairo, Johannesburg
🌍 Virtual Interactive Sessions
🌍 Customized Organizational Programmes

CERTIFICATION

Comprehensive certificate with CPD credits. Aligns with WFP Logistics Cluster standards, IASC guidelines, Sphere Standards, CHS, and UN procurement principles.

TRAINING PACKAGE

📦 Humanitarian Logistics Manual (350+ pages)
📦 Emergency Assessment Templates
📦 Distribution Management Tools
📦 Warehouse Forms & Checklists
📦 Coordination Templates
📦 Regional Case Studies
📦 Digital Resource Library
📦 Humanitarian Standards Reference

Save Lives Through Professional Excellence. Register today for critical humanitarian supply chain expertise enabling effective emergency response where professional logistics determines whether life-saving assistance reaches those most in need across Saudi Arabia, Oman, GCC, and Africa.