In Syria, the Logistics Cluster has been providing information management and coordination services and facilitating access to common logistics services, while also actively developing the abilities of humanitarian logisticians to provide essential and reliable support through dedicated trainings.
As part of this effort, the Logistics Cluster in partnership with the Logistics Emergency Team (LET) organised a Port Operations training in Mersin, Turkey. This type of partnership unites the capacity and resources of the logistics industry with the expertise and experience of the humanitarian community to provide more effective and efficient disaster relief.
On 29 and 30 April, the Syria Logistics Cluster welcomed an expert from the DP World Hub Training and Development team to its office in Mersin. Ahmed Abu Safia provided his time and expertise to train 25 humanitarian logisticians from 14 organisations including WHO, WFP, UOSSM, UNHCR, IOM, Islamic Relief Worldwide and Big Heart.
Mersin Port Operations training participants
The condensed two-day training was designed to illustrate how terminals work, strengthening the specific technical capacities of Logistics Cluster partners.
The first day was dedicated to discussing trade and supply chain in detail, followed by exercises to explain import and export processes. In the afternoon, terminal operations and the major components of modern container terminals (i.e. quay, vessel, yard and gate operations) were covered, with engaging activities throughout the day making it a fun and collaborative learning experience.
The second day was focused on discussing key principles of terminal operations and how to measure productivity, which was an invaluable addition to the participants’ skillset. The training was then concluded with a tour of the Port of Mersin, Turkey’s largest port. This allowed the participants to witness operations, meet key operational staff and learn from their experience.
Participants gave the training and the facilitator extremely positive feedback, with one participant noting that “The trainer was excellent! He encouraged participation and made the attendees confident to participate… Throughout the two days, all attendees were kept engaged.”
The training not only helped the participants gain the necessary tools and skills to better coordinate operations and increase the efficiency of the response, but it was also useful in building networks of logistics professionals in the field, helping to strengthen coordination and collaboration in an emergency response as complicated as the Syria operation. Despite some areas becoming more secure, access remains a constant challenge due to lingering insecurity as well as bureaucratic challenges. As the context within Syria is continuously shifting, logistics coordination remains pivotal in ensuring recovery needs continue to be met while simultaneously maintaining capacity and resources to address any emerging issues.
To learn more about our Syria operation, click here.
To learn more about the LET partnership, click here.