Humanitarian Logistics in the Context of COVID-19

Airlink launched the Aviation C.A.R.E.S. (Coordinated Air Response for Emergency Supplies) program in April 2020 to respond to the unique logistical challenges associated with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This webinar series brings together nonprofit, aviation, and philanthropy partners to collectively identify and share lessons learned from responding to emergencies in this unprecedented context, as well as providing training on key practices that can facilitate more efficient, effective, and streamlined movement of relief goods and passengers by air in the aftermath of a disaster.

This webinar series is made possible through the generous support of the Arconic Foundation and United Airlines, Airlink’s Signature Lead Airline Partner.

Note: Please be advised that the current schedule is tentative and may be subject to change. This page will continue to be updated in the coming days as guest speakers are confirmed.

Knowledge & Capacity Building Sessions

Air Logistics Preparedness and Cargo Request Process

Date: Monday, November 9, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. EST

Co-hosted with the Humanitarian Logistics Association (HLA), this session will provide an overview of the Ten Step Guide for Nonprofits Sending Humanitarian Aid Supplies in Emergencies as well as new efforts to standardize humanitarian logistics. Participants will learn about the terminology and documentation involved in air freight transportation.

Dangerous Goods Awareness

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST

Our logistics partners at Flexport.org, and their dangerous goods senior consultant, will provide an overview of dangerous goods regulations, including recommendations to ensure compliance during airfreight humanitarian operations.

Customs Clearance and Emergency Response

Date: Friday, November 13, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. EST

Co-hosted with DHL, this session will focus on understanding customs clearance regulations and relevant considerations for the humanitarian sector in the context of emergency response.

Best Practices for Responding in a COVID-19 Environment

In the following sessions, our nonprofit partners will share best practices in humanitarian operations responding to COVID-19 across different geographical areas, as well as the particular considerations when responding to disasters during a global health emergency.

Responding to COVID-19 in Asia

Date: Monday, November 9, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EST

Airlink partners Project HOPE and World Central Kitchen and others share best practices in humanitarian operations responding to COVID-19 during their innovative responses in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the particular considerations when responding to natural disasters during a global health emergency.

Responding to COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa

Date: Thursday, November 12, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST

Airlink partners Partners in Health, VillageReach, and We Care Solar share best practices in humanitarian operations responding to COVID-19 in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, unique community-based health approaches, and the ultimate challenge of responding to a global health emergency in areas already struggling to meet basic health needs.

Responding to COVID-19 in Latin America & the Caribbean

Date:  Friday, November 13, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EST

Airlink partners Americares and Adventist Development and Relief Agency share best practices in humanitarian operations responding to COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the unique challenge of responding to a global health emergency during a refugee crisis.

Beirut Explosion Response: Addressing a Complex Emergency during a Pandemic

Date: Monday, November 16, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. EST

Airlink partners ANERA, Heart to Heart International, and Project C.U.R.E. share insights into their ongoing responses and the creative solutions they implemented to meet the needs of the complex emergency of economic crisis and COVID-19, made even more dire by the August 4 explosion at the Port of Beirut.

Four Storms: How Nonprofits Responded in the Gulf During a Pandemic

Date: Tuesday, November 17, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. EST

Domestic Airlink partners All Hands and Hearts and Information Technology Disaster Resource Center shares their strategies for scaling up a response to natural disasters during COVID-19, and what it takes to respond to compounding hurricanes in the Gulf.

Roundtable Discussions

Innovations on Disaster Philanthropy and CSR

Date: Thursday, November 19, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. EST

This session will feature Airlink partners The Conrad N Hilton Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative, and the ISTAT Foundation who will speak about innovative funding opportunities for organizations working in the area of disaster response and emergencies.

COVID-19 in 2021 and Beyond: The Vaccine Distribution Challenge

Date: Friday, November 20, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. EST

This session will highlight some of the challenges involved in ensuring equitable access to a COVID-19 vaccine, and the collaboration required between the aviation, logistics, and community health sectors. Tune in for guest speakers from IATA and DHL’s Life Sciences & Healthcare Division.