How do rescue teams, equipment and relief supplies reach a disaster area as quickly as possible? This was the focus of our guest lecture, „From Disasters to Deliveries: The Hidden Logistics Behind Relief Missions“, as part of the Mobility and Logistics degree programme at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences.
Together with Prof. Dr Katharina Adaev, our colleagues Thilo Künnemann and Simon Gutzeit used the example of the earthquake relief operation in Turkey to show the students how international aid missions are carried out: from the initial alert, through transport planning and customs and border formalities, to the provision of supplies in the affected area.
Just a few days later, Paul-Philipp Braun and Simon Gutzeit led another seminar, during which they spoke to the students about communication in crisis situations and by aid organisations. Here, too, the focus was not merely on introducing the organisation, but on exploring specific ways to further improve our work in this area.
Collaboration with universities is important to us. It enables future specialists and managers to gain first-hand insight into the work of an international aid organisation. Further events are planned, including within the International Relations and Gender and Diversity degree programmes. Arrangements are already being made for students to visit our logistics and operations centre in Goch.