The Yemen Logistics Cluster is realigning its strategy to further emphasize localization. Recognizing the unique challenges, and, operational capacities of partners responding to Yemen crisis, the Logistics Cluster reinforced its focus to implementing partner logistics staff capacity development activities and initiatives with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
Two different Warehouse and Inventory Management Trainings were convened jointly by the World Food Programme (WFP) in Sana’a and in Aden in January 2023.
Key topics and modules included:
- Warehouse and Inventory Management Principles.
- Warehouse Preparation Planning
- Warehouse Operations Aspects
- Managing Inventory Levels
- Stock control and movements
27 participants, including NGOs and United Nations Agencies, attended the training representing key actors from across the emergency response community.
Training Objectives
The following objectives were identified across the training’s core modules:
- Provide a holistic overview of humanitarian logistics, the cluster approach, and Logistics Cluster functions.
- Enhance understanding of logistics control systems including warehousing, stock control, and movements.
- Provide a summary of existing logistics tools implemented by the Yemen Logistics Cluster.
- Determine potential structure, roles, and responsibilities of the warehouse and Inventory Management approach.
- Provide participants with hands-on experience in stock movement and enhance understanding of issues relating to dispatch, review, and storage of humanitarian items.
Training structure
The training was organised in modules to provide a theoretical and practical guidance to partners on basic Principles of Warehouse and Inventory Management.
Participants gained a critical understanding of warehouse areas that should be planned both the general storage areas and the areas for goods receipt, consignment picking, and goods dispatch, allocation of sufficient space to repackage damaged items, handling special storage needs - including hazardous products and medical supplies.
As part of the practical exercise participants uploaded, and dispatch stock from a warehouse and completed warehouse documentation including stack cards and stock cards.
To help participants understand the need of alternative storage solutions and understand the Mobile Storage Units (MSUs) erection steps, the Logistics Cluster and WFP also facilitated an MSU exercise.
Participants engaged in training activities with enthusiasm and team work to achieve a better understanding of storage planning, inbound receipt procedures.
The training received positive feedback from 40 participants, who noted that it would be beneficial for one staff member from each partner organization to be trained. This is an important outcome to ensure knowledge transfer, as well as building leadership capacity among across the humanitarian logistics sector.
If you want to learn more about the Logistics Cluster activities in Yemen, please visit the dedicated webpage: https://logcluster.org/ops/yem10a.