Summary
As part of the Logistics Working Group (LWG) 2026 Workplan, a joint field visit was conducted to the WFP Afghanistan Regional Warehouses in Herat.
Partners Visit WFP Warehouse in Herat
Background
On 1 September 2026, the Afghanistan Logistics Working Group (LWG) convened 13 representatives from humanitarian and development organizations, including international and national NGOs, for a coordination meeting and joint visit to the World Food Programme (WFP) Herat Warehouse. The event served as a platform to review ongoing LWG activities, strengthen coordination among partners, and exchange operational experiences.
The visit provided participants with first-hand insight into WFP's logistics and warehouse operations while encouraging discussion on shared logistics challenges, partner needs, and opportunities for enhanced collaboration. By bringing together key humanitarian actors, the event reinforced the value of information sharing and collective efforts to improve logistics preparedness and response across Afghanistan.
Purpose of the Visit
The coordination meeting and warehouse visit provided an opportunity for Logistics Working Group (LWG) partners to discuss current logistics challenges, identify partner needs, and explore opportunities for improved coordination and information sharing. Through guided discussions and a tour of the WFP Herat Warehouse, participants exchanged experiences and lessons learned from their operations, highlighting common challenges related to commodity lead times, border access, warehouse utilization, and preparedness planning.
The visit also enabled partners to identify shared operational bottlenecks and explore practical solutions through greater collaboration and alignment. At the same time, WFP showcased its logistics infrastructure, operational capabilities, and the services available to support humanitarian partners.
Discussions emphasized the importance of stronger information sharing, regular operational updates, and joint logistics planning to enhance preparedness and response efforts. Participants also identified key logistics gaps and potential areas where WFP could support partners, particularly in warehousing, market information, and capacity-building initiatives.
Highlights and Discussion Points by Partners
The visit facilitated constructive discussions on key logistics issues affecting humanitarian operations in Afghanistan. Partners shared challenges, experiences, and opportunities for collaboration, with the following key points highlighted:
- Transportation: Partners highlighted that the requirement for trucks manufactured in 2010 or later has reduced vehicle availability and increased transportation costs. Poor road conditions and rising fuel prices were also identified as factors impacting transport operations.
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Several partners reported shortages of medicines and hygiene items resulting from border closures and supply chain disruptions.
- Warehouse Capacity: Partners highlighted limited warehouse space in Herat, with some existing facilities already operating under significant capacity pressure.
- Market Information: Partners expressed interest in receiving regular market and price updates, including supplier information. The LWG will continue sharing VAM market updates through its communication channels as they become available.
- Guesthouse Capacity: World Vision International (WVI) informed participants of available guesthouse capacity in the Western and Northern regions on a cost-recovery basis. Contact details will be shared with interested partners.
- Capacity Building: Partners expressed interest in exploring joint training initiatives with WFP to strengthen logistics and supply chain capacities.
During the warehouse tour, participants observed WFP's warehouse systems, operational processes, and inventory management practices, gaining practical insights into large-scale humanitarian logistics operations. The visit encouraged the exchange of experiences and best practices while identifying practical solutions to common operational challenges.
Participating Organizations
The field visit brought together logistics and supply chain representatives from a diverse group of humanitarian organizations, including CARE International, Gruppo di Volontariato Civile (GVC), Humanity & Inclusion (HI), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), Médecins du Monde (MdM), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Rural Rehabilitation Association for Afghanistan (RRAA), Social Association and Community Health Organization (SACHO), Solidarités International (SI), Women’s Activities and Social Services Association (WASSA), World Food Programme (WFP), and World Vision International (WVI).
The broad participation enriched discussions and demonstrated the collective commitment of humanitarian actors to strengthening logistics coordination and operational readiness across Afghanistan.
Overview of the WFP Herat Warehouse Facility
During the visit, Logistics Working Group (LWG) partners were introduced to the capacity and operational capabilities of the WFP Herat Warehouse, a key logistics hub supporting humanitarian operations in western Afghanistan. Participants toured the main warehouse facility, which has a total open area of 2,842 m² and an actual storage capacity of 36,000 m². At the time of the visit, 33,158 m² of storage space was occupied.
Partners were also briefed on Warehouse No. 08, which was not included in the tour but plays an important role in WFP's storage network. The facility has a total open area of 400 m², an actual storage capacity of 15,271 m², and an occupied space of 14,871 m².
Herat Fleet Hub Capacity & Services
The visit also highlighted the capabilities of the Herat Fleet Hub, which operates 35 cargo trucks with varying payload capacities to support WFP activities across the Western and Southern Regions. In addition, the fleet includes nine armoured vehicles and two soft-skin light vehicles. Participants learned about the maintenance services available through the fleet hub, including both minor and major repairs for partner assets.
WFP further highlighted that warehousing, and logistics services can be made available to humanitarian partners through formal Service Level Agreements (SLAs). This arrangement provides opportunities for greater collaboration by enabling partners to access WFP's logistics infrastructure, warehousing facilities, fleet services, and operational support when required.
Conclusion
The joint visit to the WFP Herat Warehouse marked an important opportunity for Logistics Working Group (LWG) partners to strengthen coordination, share operational experiences, and explore opportunities for closer collaboration. By showcasing its logistics infrastructure and operational practices, WFP provided valuable insights into humanitarian supply chain management and available support services.
The visit reinforced the importance of information sharing, joint planning, and continued engagement among humanitarian organizations. It also highlighted opportunities for enhanced cooperation in warehousing, transportation, market information, and capacity building, ultimately contributing to more effective and coordinated humanitarian logistics operations across Afghanistan.
WFP Supply Chain Focal Points
For further information on warehouse services and logistics support, partners may contact:
Herat:
- Yar Mohammad FROTAN |Logistics Officer | yarmohammad.frotan@wfp.org
Kabul:
- Paballo Mosala | Logistics Officer | paballo.mosala@wfp.org
- HLS Afghanistan Service Provision | Afghanistan-Supply-Chain-HLS-UserList@wfp.org