The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BANGALORE, 10 APRIL 2025
In a significant step towards strengthening disaster preparedness and resilience in South Asia, DHL Group successfully conducted its second GoHelp Disaster Response Team (DRT) training in Bangalore, India. Held from April 5 to 6, 2025, at a DHL facility, the two-day program brought together over 30 employees from Blue Dart, DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding, and DHL Supply Chain. This marks the return of DRT training to India after more than a decade, with the previous session held in 2013.
The training featured a comprehensive curriculum comprising both theoretical and practical components. Participants were introduced to key aspects of disaster response, including safety protocols and coordination with stakeholders such as NGOs, government bodies, the military, and the media. The hands-on simulation exercise provided an immersive experience in managing relief cargo, warehouse operations, and forklift handling during emergency scenarios. The presence of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as an observer underlined the program’s commitment to aligning with national standards in disaster management.
Carl Schelfhaut, Head of the GoHelp program for Asia Pacific at DHL Group, emphasized the evolution of the training approach from reactive response to proactive preparedness. He noted that the expanded focus on warehousing operations reflects the changing nature of disaster logistics, ensuring volunteers are well-equipped to handle emergencies across multiple relief points. Schelfhaut also highlighted DHL’s previous deployments in India, such as during the Kerala floods in 2018 and the Assam floods in 2022, as examples of the company’s commitment to humanitarian logistics.
The urgency of such preparedness is underscored by India’s vulnerability to natural disasters. According to UNICEF, 27 out of 29 states and all seven union territories in the country are exposed to recurrent hazards including floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and droughts. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks, making preparedness initiatives like GoHelp increasingly vital.
R.S. Subramanian, Senior Vice President, South Asia, DHL Express, reaffirmed the program’s alignment with the company’s purpose—“Connecting People, Improving Lives.” He praised the dedication of employees who volunteered for the training, stating that their readiness to step in during disasters strengthens DHL’s capacity to support affected communities when it matters most.
Echoing this sentiment, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director of Blue Dart, described the GoHelp program as a powerful force within DHL’s humanitarian efforts. He noted that the enthusiasm and commitment of employees participating in the training reflect the company’s deep-rooted responsibility towards disaster-affected regions.
Edwin Pinto, Managing Director of DHL Global Forwarding India, stressed the strategic importance of such training in enhancing readiness to respond effectively during crises. He pointed out that managing relief cargo across various touchpoints is a critical skill as disasters become more frequent.
Vikas Anand, Managing Director of DHL Supply Chain India, added that while natural calamities are becoming more severe, logistics disruptions need not be inevitable. He highlighted that DHL’s DRT, now in its third decade, continues to work closely with the United Nations to deliver aid swiftly and efficiently wherever needed.
Since the inception of the GoHelp program in 2005, DHL Group has consistently partnered with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) to deploy its DRTs globally. These trained teams operate in disaster-struck regions to streamline the management of relief goods at airports and other logistics hubs, ensuring timely support to communities in need.
