Procuring supplies for children
Emergencies
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| © UNICEF/SD08-027/Brian L Jensen |
| DENMARK, 10 May 2008: In its global supply warehouse in Copenhagen, UNICEF staff pack another emergency order for Myanmar. The order includes 30 emergency health kits and other medical supplies. |
Supply Division plays a crucial role during emergencies by mobilising and shipping essential life-saving supplies and providing technical support in the area of in-country logistics. In 2007, the Supply Division supported 66 countries in emergency.
UNICEF’s emergency responses and protection of affected children always include a strong supply component. The role of Supply Division is twofold: to procure essential supplies for health and nutrition, education and recreation, drinking water and sanitation, and to provide technical support in the identification and procurement of emergency supplies as well as in-country logistics. Emergency supplies are increasingly planned as part of long-term programmes, which also include rehabilitation and reconstruction. UNICEF is placing increased emphasis on emergency preparedness and response, including strengthening the capacity of governments and partners to prepare effectively, and develop joint emergency planning mechanisms.
UNICEF operates three emergency hubs in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Colon (Panama), and Shanghai China where goods can be dispatched within a period of 48 hours following a disaster.
Approximately 8,500 sea and air shipments were managed by Supply Division, including 26 charter flights. Warehouse throughput reached an unprecedented $93 million - a 27 per cent increase over 2006 and the sixth year growth in succession.
Supply Division’s Copenhagen warehouse is key to UNICEF’s emergency response capacity. Emergency supplies can be packed and shipped within 48 hours of receiving an order, delivering the items needed for children’s immediate survival and recovery from trauma.
The Division specializes in developing and shipping pre-packed kits that can be assembled, shipped and distributed rapidly, making them ideal for emergency situations when speed can save lives. Each kit contains a complete set of supplies and instructions for use, so that they can be distributed to outlying schools, health posts or camps and be ready for immediate use. The Copenhagen warehouse stocks components for 37 different kits. The most commonly-used kits in emergencies are the School-in-a-Box, the Recreation Kit and the Emergency Health Kit.
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