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Operations & Supply Chain

Humanitarian and Relief Logistics

Humanitarian logistics delivers aid to people affected by disasters and crises under difficult conditions. This course covers preparedness, needs assessment, procurement and prepositioning, transport and last-mile delivery, warehousing, coordination between agencies, information management and accountability.

5 days Classroom or live online English
Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants
Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Effective logistics can save lives and resources in emergencies. This course gives logistics professionals in NGOs, government and the private sector practical tools for humanitarian operations.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

  • Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
  • Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
  • Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.
Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course uses emergency simulations, case studies of major responses, planning exercises and coordination role plays.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the humanitarian logistics context and stakeholders
  • Plan preparedness and prepositioning
  • Manage emergency procurement
  • Organise transport, warehousing and last-mile delivery
  • Coordinate with agencies and authorities
  • Ensure accountability and information management
Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

  • Logistics officers in NGOs and UN agencies
  • Government emergency management staff
  • Supply chain professionals supporting relief
  • Procurement officers
  • Volunteers moving into logistics roles
Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

  • Emergency logistics planning
  • Needs assessment
  • Emergency procurement
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Coordination
  • Accountability
Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Humanitarian Context

  1. 09:00–09:54Types of emergencies
  2. 09:54–10:48Humanitarian principles
  3. 10:48–11:00Actors and coordination
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Actors and coordination (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Logistics challenges
  7. 13:06–14:00Exercise: Response mapping

Day 2Preparedness and Procurement

  1. 09:00–09:54Preparedness planning
  2. 09:54–10:48Prepositioning
  3. 10:48–11:00Emergency procurement
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Emergency procurement (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Framework agreements
  7. 13:06–14:00Workshop: Preparedness plan

Day 3Transport and Warehousing

  1. 09:00–09:54Transport modes in emergencies
  2. 09:54–10:48Temporary warehousing
  3. 10:48–11:00Inventory control
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Inventory control (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Last-mile distribution
  7. 13:06–14:00Simulation: Relief operation

Day 4Coordination and Information

  1. 09:00–09:54Logistics cluster
  2. 09:54–10:48Information management
  3. 10:48–11:00Tracking and reporting
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Tracking and reporting (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Customs and access
  7. 13:06–14:00Case study: Major disaster response

Day 5Accountability and Improvement

  1. 09:00–09:54Accountability to affected people
  2. 09:54–10:48Donor requirements
  3. 10:48–11:00Lessons learned
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Lessons learned (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Sustainability
  7. 13:06–14:00Capstone: Response logistics plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Kuala Lumpur 9 Nov - 13 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 9 Nov - 13 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Paris 23 Nov - 27 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 23 Nov - 27 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Istanbul 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Singapore 11 Jan - 15 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 11 Jan - 15 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 25 Jan - 29 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 25 Jan - 29 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Vienna 1 Feb - 5 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,940.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 1 Feb - 5 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 8 Feb - 12 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Feb - 12 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 22 Feb - 26 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Feb - 26 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 8 Mar - 12 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Mar - 12 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Paris 22 Mar - 26 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Mar - 26 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 5 Apr - 9 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 5 Apr - 9 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Istanbul 12 Apr - 16 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 12 Apr - 16 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 26 Apr - 30 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 26 Apr - 30 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Singapore 10 May - 14 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 10 May - 14 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Barcelona 31 May - 4 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,840.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 31 May - 4 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 14 Jun - 18 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 14 Jun - 18 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 21 Jun - 25 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 21 Jun - 25 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 12 Jul - 16 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 12 Jul - 16 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Paris 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 2 Aug - 6 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 2 Aug - 6 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Istanbul 9 Aug - 13 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 9 Aug - 13 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 23 Aug - 27 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 23 Aug - 27 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Singapore 13 Sept - 17 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 13 Sept - 17 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 4 Oct - 8 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 4 Oct - 8 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 11 Oct - 15 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 11 Oct - 15 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 25 Oct - 29 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 25 Oct - 29 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 8 Nov - 12 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Nov - 12 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Paris 22 Nov - 26 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Nov - 26 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 29 Nov - 3 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 29 Nov - 3 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Istanbul 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 13 Dec - 17 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 13 Dec - 17 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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