DSV and UNICEF announce partnership to increase access to essential supplies for children worldwide

DSV, the global transport and logistics company, and UNICEF have announced a new partnership aimed at providing rapid emergency responses and strengthening global supply chains.

DSV will provide UNICEF with in-kind flights for swift delivery of essential supplies during emergencies, as well as flexible funding to enable timely support to children around the world, according to a relevant press release.

“In 2023, UNICEF delivered 2.79 billion vaccine doses to 105 countries, supporting national vaccination targets and outbreak response. However, millions of children around the world missed out on life-saving vaccines, which indicates the significant challenges within global supply chains, especially in remote areas. This new partnership with DSV targets these vulnerabilities to ensure the rapid deployment of essential supplies. This will allow us not only to address immediate needs, but also to work towards long-term improvements in how we deliver critical supplies to children,” said UNICEF Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships, Carla Haddad Mardini.

In the face of emergencies, children suffer first and suffer most, facing increased risks of disease and malnutrition. In addition to offering in-kind flights for emergency deliveries, DSV’s flexible funding commitment allows UNICEF to mobilise resources swiftly — in as little as 24 hours after a crisis strikes — guaranteeing that supplies reach the children who need them most, no matter how remote their location.

“The world faces continued challenges that require effective solutions and support. This is why we have chosen to partner with UNICEF to ensure efficient humanitarian logistics for crisis-affected areas,” said Group CEO of DSV, Jens H. Lund. “A pre-established in-kind flight agreement is a cornerstone of this strategic partnership, enabling the delivery of critical supplies to children and their families anywhere in the world when it is needed. In the event of an emergency, DSV is ready to support UNICEF in delivering life-saving supplies within the first 72 hours to help children survive and recover following a crisis.”

Strengthening supply chains

As part of this partnership, DSV will draw on its industry expertise to work with UNICEF to strengthen supply chains – with a regional focus on Latin America – to improve children’s access to essential goods and services. An important aspect of strengthening supply chains is enhancing the capabilities of the supply chain workforce. In global health, 40 per cent of resources are lost due to inefficiencies often linked to workforce challenges.

The partnership relies on the UNICEF Supply Chain Maturity Model to evaluate and enhance key operational and technical aspects of supply chain management, such as budgeting and planning, transportation, distribution and storage, and end-user monitoring. The findings will be used by governments in Latin America to develop evidence-based national supply chain strengthening plans, focusing investments to maximise improvements in supply chain resilience and access to healthcare supplies and services.

Global humanitarian action

In 2023, UNICEF estimated that nearly a quarter of the world’s children were living in, or fleeing from, conflict zones. The urgent needs of these children are often compounded by challenges relating to damaged infrastructure and insecurity. This makes strong partnerships vital in order to quickly overcome complex logistical and transport issues.

By leveraging its global network, DSV will provide UNICEF with resilient and efficient supply chain solutions to ensure that critical supplies reach remote locations in a timely manner.

This strategic partnership builds upon DSV’s prior work with UNICEF, dating back to 2020, when DSV signed the World Economic Forum Supply Chain & Transport Industry Charter in support of UNICEF and COVAX Vaccine Distribution. DSV has also supported UNICEF’s humanitarian response, most recently after the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria in 2023.

G.A.P. Vassilopoulos Group, as the official partner of DSV in Cyprus, is pleased to support this initiative and will back any activities that involve Cyprus.