Emergency Response capacity of the World Food Programme strengthened by donation of special vehicles from the Russian Federation

The handover of the first batch of hardware, consisting of 37 units (20 cargo trucks, one fuel tanker truck, one classroom truck and 15 trailers) for WFP’s Dubai fleet, took place during a ceremony held today at the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) warehouses in the International Humanitarian City, in Jebel Ali, Dubai. It was attended by high level representatives from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, the International Humanitarian City and the WFP.

Today’s event is the result of a long-lasting partnership between the Government of the Russian Federation and the World Food Programme”, said Vladimir Solovyov, Director of the Department of International Activities of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation and Head of the Russian National Emergency Humanitarian Response Corps. “Russian humanitarian technology is highly valued in all settings and we are very pleased to contribute to WFP’s mission of saving and changing lives, especially in the most challenging operations affected by war and natural disaster.”

On any given day, WFP operates an average of 5,000 commercially contracted trucks. In difficult operational environments, where needs exceed the capacities of commercial transporters, the organisation relies on its own fleet of nearly 800 heavy-duty trucks that are designed to cope with the toughest road conditions.

“This is the third time the Russian Federation generously supports our fleet capacity, following the 2011 and the 2014 donations,” said Mageed Yahia, WFP Director in UAE and Representative for GCC region. “These KAMAZ trucks and trailers have enabled WFP to augment its operational transport capacity and improve the efficiency of its emergency response facilities significantly. Since their early incorporation into WFP Global Fleet hubs, they have transported more than 350,000 metric tons to the most demanding and most complicated routes, covering more than 6,5 million kilometers. Without them, delivery of food assistance to those in need and provision of logistical support to the humanitarian community would have been much more difficult and way too expensive. On behalf of our beneficiaries and of the global humanitarian community, we are very grateful to the Russian Federation and KAMAZ for this valuable partnership and generous support.”

In 2011, WFP benefitted from a donation by the Russian Federation of 40 KAMAZ trucks which were successfully integrated into WFP’s fleet in Afghanistan and helped improve its efficiency. This was followed by a historic contribution of an additional 218 KAMAZ trucks in 2014 which were deployed to WFP’s operations in DRC, CAR, South Sudan and Ethiopia. They enabled WFP to augment its operational transport capacity and improve its emergency response facilities significantly. KAMAZ will also be providing a three-year training programme to WFP fleet and workshop managers, mechanics and drivers

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The United Nations World Food Programme - saving lives in emergencies and changing lives for millions through sustainable development. WFP works in more than 80 countries around the world, feeding people caught in conflict and disasters, and laying the foundations for a better future.