To The Rescue

Logistics Insight Asia, 1/7/2008

Bob Gill

The 1960s' British TV series Thunderbirds is one of the most successful puppet animation series ever made. Although production ceased in 1966, repeat screenings around the world along with books, toys, and a 2004 Hollywood movie have enabled many millions to enjoy the exploits of the Tracy brothers - Scott, Virgil, Alan, Gordon and John - and their five Thunderbird craft.

The show revolves around an organization called International Rescue, which goes into action whenever there is a disaster around the world. Usually, there is a race against time to get to the disaster site and carry out the rescue.

Creator Gerry Anderson reportedly developed the concept after learning about an actual disaster in a German mine in 1963, where the equipment needed to rescue trapped miners was far away and transportation time a major obstacle to their survival.

Back in the real world, as we have seen in this decade, devastating disasters remain all too common, and it was one such incident in 2003 that spurred express and logistics provider DHL to believe it could do more to help.

After the Iranian earthquake in Bam that year, DHL was involved in transporting emergency aid and witnessed that authorities were unprepared for the huge quantities of incoming relief goods. The apron and runway were soon blocked and planes unable to land.

It decided to create Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) "to provide necessary logistical assistance and give airport authorities the critical support needed to handle emergency relief". Globally, three DRTs were set up, in Singapore, Dubai, and Miami.

Each DRT comprises around 80 volunteer staff , knowledgeable in areas such as ground handling, warehouse management, inventory and customs, and specially trained, often by the UN, to handle the demands of a crisis situation.

Most recently, the Asia Pacifi c DRT sprung to action in the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, managing the operations of a 3,000 square meter warehouse near Yangon airport used as the consolidation point for relief supplies flown in for the victims down in the Irrawaddy Delta.

As with all DRT deployments, the services in Myanmar were provided free of charge, which in today's cutthroat corporate world is heartening to hear. DHL should be duly applauded for its humanitarian initiative and the efforts of its volunteers. All together now: "5 4 3 2 1, DRTs Are Go!"