Disaster Logistics Planning and Management Training Course

Duration 5 days 10 modules · 33 contact hours
Level Intermediate Certificate on completion
Who attends Humanitarian Logistics Officers, Supply Chain Managers and others
Fee from USD 1,100 KSh 95,000 for Kenyan organisations
Where 52 cities + online See dates by city
Next start 16 Nov 2026 Course code SD-HR-045

Before you join: Participants should have basic familiarity with humanitarian programmes, relief operations, supply chains, procurement, warehousing, transport or field coordination.

Dates & prices

Two start dates a month in every city, and live online on weekdays or weekends. Fees are per participant; classroom fees include tuition, materials, lunch and refreshments, and the certificate.

Suggest a date or city

Showing the next six months. Later dates, other cities and private deliveries for your team are available on request.

Course overview

Disaster response operations can fail even when funding, relief items and technical expertise are available. Delayed procurement, poor access information, weak stock controls, unsuitable transport plans and unclear handovers can prevent assistance reaching affected people when it is most needed. Logistics teams must make decisions with incomplete data, changing security conditions, damaged infrastructure, tight donor controls and pressure to demonstrate accountability for every consignment.

This course develops the planning and management skills required to run humanitarian logistics operations from initial assessment through procurement, warehousing, transport, distribution and performance reporting. Participants learn to build response logistics plans, estimate demand, design supply pipelines, manage suppliers, control inventory, plan last-mile delivery and monitor costs, lead times and losses. The course also addresses coordination with national authorities, Logistics Cluster partners, customs agencies, carriers and programme teams.

Teaching combines instructor briefings with realistic humanitarian cases, group planning tasks, warehouse and transport scenarios, supply pipeline analysis, and response simulations. Participants work with practical documents used in emergency operations, including assessment formats, procurement evaluation matrices, warehouse controls, route plans and logistics dashboards. They leave with a structured disaster logistics planning pack that can be adapted for their organisation, country programme or emergency contingency plan.

The course is suited to humanitarian staff who already work with operations, supply chains, emergency programmes, field coordination or donor-funded relief activities. It is also relevant to government disaster management personnel, NGO programme managers and private-sector logistics staff supporting humanitarian response.

What you will be able to do

  • Develop a disaster logistics response plan using objectives, service levels, milestones and responsibilities
  • Conduct rapid logistics assessments using IASC MIRA data categories and prioritisation matrices
  • Build a rolling supply pipeline linking demand forecasts, inventory, orders and arrivals
  • Apply procurement controls through specifications, bid evaluations, supplier due diligence and Incoterms 2020
  • Manage warehouse operations using goods receipt, FIFO, FEFO, stock cards and cycle counts
  • Plan transport movements using route assessments, load plans, carrier controls and proof-of-delivery records
  • Monitor logistics performance using KPIs, landed-cost analysis, exception reports and data-quality checks
  • Prepare contingency measures for access disruption, supply interruption, security incidents and demand surges

Benefits of attending

For you

  • Produce credible logistics response plans during sudden-onset and protracted emergencies
  • Make defensible procurement and transport decisions under time and access constraints
  • Identify supply pipeline risks before they become stock-outs or delivery delays
  • Use warehouse and distribution controls that strengthen accountability for relief items
  • Communicate logistics priorities clearly to programme teams, donors, authorities and carriers

For your organisation

  • Faster mobilisation of relief supplies through defined planning, sourcing and transport controls
  • Reduced stock losses, expiry risks and documentation gaps within warehouses and distribution chains
  • Improved audit readiness through traceable procurement, inventory and proof-of-delivery records
  • More reliable last-mile delivery plans for remote, insecure and infrastructure-constrained locations
  • Stronger contingency readiness for border closures, flooding, fuel shortages and supply disruptions

Course modules

10 modules over 5 days

Participants can define the logistics mandate, operating scope and key coordination relationships for an emergency response.

  • Humanitarian principles, duty of care, and logistics mandate during emergencies
  • Response phases linked to changing logistics priorities and decision rights
  • Supply chain mapping from donor pipeline to affected household
  • Sphere Handbook commitments translated into logistics service requirements
  • Roles of national authorities, clusters, NGOs, military, and private carriers
  • Logistics operating picture built from constraints, capacities, and critical dependencies

Participants can assess logistics constraints, estimate needs and prioritise response actions using available evidence.

  • IASC MIRA data categories for population needs, access, markets, and infrastructure
  • Rapid logistics assessment methods: key informants, observation, secondary data, and mapping
  • Access constraints classified by route condition, permissions, seasonality, and security
  • Demand estimates converted into commodity quantities, handling requirements, and delivery schedules
  • Assumptions log maintained with confidence ratings, sources, and validation actions
  • Prioritisation matrix balancing life-saving urgency, reach, feasibility, and equity

Participants can create a time-bound logistics plan and supply pipeline for emergency operations.

  • Objectives, scope, and service levels defined in a logistics response plan
  • Supply chain network design compares central, regional, and field storage options
  • 13-week rolling pipeline plan links demand, stock, orders, and arrivals
  • Critical path analysis schedules procurement, transport, clearance, and distribution milestones
  • Scenario planning tests border closure, flooding, fuel disruption, and demand surges
  • RACI matrix assigns approval, coordination, execution, and escalation responsibilities

Participants can procure emergency goods and services while maintaining competition, compliance and supplier controls.

  • Specification writing distinguishes essential performance requirements from supplier-specific preferences
  • Procurement thresholds, competition, waivers, and segregation of duties controls
  • Incoterms 2020 allocate costs, risk transfer, insurance, and export responsibilities
  • Bid evaluation matrix scores compliance, price, delivery, capacity, and ethical risk
  • Framework agreements and local sourcing reduce lead times without weakening controls
  • Supplier due diligence checks sanctions, conflicts, fraud indicators, and labour practices

Participants can establish warehouse controls that protect commodity quality, accuracy and traceability.

  • Warehouse layout separates receiving, quarantine, storage, picking, dispatch, and returns
  • Goods receipt procedures reconcile purchase orders, waybills, quantities, and condition
  • FEFO, FIFO, batch tracking, and expiry controls protect commodity quality
  • Stock cards and warehouse management systems maintain auditable inventory records
  • Cycle counts investigate variances, damaged stock, losses, and adjustment approvals
  • Fire safety, pest control, stacking limits, and cold-chain monitoring requirements

Participants can plan safe, cost-aware transport movements from warehouse dispatch to final delivery points.

  • Route assessment combines distance, road condition, permits, fuel, and security data
  • Transport planning matches vehicle capacity, commodity characteristics, and delivery windows
  • Load plans calculate axle limits, volumetric capacity, restraint, and segregation
  • Carrier contracts define rates, detention, liability, proof of delivery, and claims
  • Fleet utilisation measures kilometres, turnaround time, fuel consumption, and downtime
  • Last-mile delivery options compare road, air, water, and portage constraints

Participants can organise accountable distributions that protect people, commodities and delivery records.

  • Targeting criteria align vulnerability data, programme objectives, and protection risks
  • Distribution plans specify site flow, crowd management, staffing, and contingencies
  • Waybills, delivery notes, and signed receipts establish commodity custody
  • Post-distribution monitoring tests receipt, use, access barriers, and complaints
  • Accountability to Affected Populations integrates information, feedback, and complaints channels
  • Cash, vouchers, and in-kind modalities compared through market functionality analysis

Participants can use logistics data to control performance, costs, risks and operational exceptions.

  • Logistics KPI dashboard tracks order fill rate, lead time, losses, and cost
  • Total landed cost analysis captures purchase, freight, duty, handling, and storage
  • Pipeline reports reconcile forecast demand, confirmed supply, stock, and gaps
  • Exception reporting escalates delayed shipments, temperature excursions, and inventory discrepancies
  • Data quality checks test completeness, timeliness, consistency, and traceability
  • Management decisions use thresholds, trend analysis, and agreed escalation triggers

Participants can coordinate logistics actors and manage clearance, movement and security risks.

  • Logistics Cluster coordination mechanisms support shared services, information, and gap analysis
  • Customs clearance packs assemble invoices, packing lists, certificates, and permits
  • Border procedures account for import exemptions, inspections, storage charges, and demurrage
  • Humanitarian civil-military coordination protects neutrality, independence, and operational access
  • Security risk assessment applies likelihood, impact, mitigation, and residual risk
  • Movement tracking and communications protocols manage missed check-ins and incidents

Participants can strengthen emergency readiness through contingency measures, review processes and application planning.

  • Contingency planning establishes triggers, pre-positioned stocks, suppliers, routes, and staffing
  • Business continuity measures protect records, communications, facilities, and critical suppliers
  • Environmental screening reduces packaging waste, transport emissions, and hazardous disposal
  • Local capacity assessment identifies partner warehousing, transport, and maintenance capabilities
  • After-action reviews capture evidence, corrective actions, owners, and due dates
  • Individual application plan prioritises logistics improvements for the next ninety days

Exercises and examples are adapted to each cohort's sectors and roles.

What you take back to work

  1. Disaster logistics response plan template
  2. Rapid logistics assessment checklist
  3. 13-week supply pipeline model
  4. Emergency procurement evaluation matrix
  5. Warehouse inventory control checklist
  6. Transport and contingency planning pack

Who should attend

  • Humanitarian Logistics Officers — responsible for planning and coordinating emergency supply operations
  • Supply Chain Managers — accountable for procurement, inventory, transport and supplier performance
  • Emergency Programme Managers — need to align relief delivery plans with operational constraints
  • Warehouse and Fleet Managers — require stronger controls for stock, vehicles and dispatches
  • Government Disaster Management Staff — coordinate relief supplies, transport assets and inter-agency support
  • NGO Operations Coordinators — manage field logistics, compliance and response readiness

Skills and tools covered

Emergency logistics planningHumanitarian procurement controlsWarehouse inventory managementTransport movement planningSupply pipeline analysisLogistics performance reporting

Tools and standards

Sphere Handbook, IASC MIRA, Incoterms 2020, Logistics Cluster

How the course runs

Training methodology

The course uses short instructor briefings to introduce methods, standards and operational decision points. Participants apply these through humanitarian response cases, small-group planning tasks, procurement and warehouse scenarios, transport simulations, and supply pipeline reviews. Cases reflect common challenges such as damaged roads, customs delays, commodity expiry, insecure routes and sudden demand increases. Facilitated discussion compares practical options and trade-offs. The final sessions convert course methods into an individual application plan for a current or anticipated logistics responsibility.

Requirements and prerequisites

Participants should have basic familiarity with humanitarian programmes, relief operations, supply chains, procurement, warehousing, transport or field coordination. Experience working for an NGO, government agency, UN partner, donor-funded project, emergency service or logistics provider is helpful. Participants should be comfortable reading operational plans, working with quantities and schedules, and discussing practical response constraints. Prior training in humanitarian logistics is not required. The course does not require advanced mathematics, specialist warehouse software skills, customs brokerage qualifications or prior deployment to an emergency response.

A typical training day

08:30 – 10:30First session
10:30 – 10:45Refreshment break
10:45 – 12:30Second session
12:30 – 13:30Lunch and networking
13:30 – 15:00Third session
15:00 – 15:15Refreshment break
15:15 – 16:30Workshop and daily review

Live online deliveries follow the same structure in East Africa Time, with shorter screen blocks and longer breaks.

What the fee includes

  • Instruction by a practitioner facilitator
  • Full course workbook and materials
  • Exercise files, templates and case studies
  • Refreshments and lunch on classroom deliveries
  • Certificate of completion
  • Post-course application plan

Frequently asked questions

Participants should have basic exposure to humanitarian operations, supply chains, logistics, procurement or programme delivery. Prior emergency deployment or specialist logistics qualifications are not required.

Participants should bring a laptop if possible, plus examples of their current logistics plans, warehouse forms, transport reports or contingency procedures where organisational policy permits. These materials can support the final application plan.

The course is designed for logistics officers, supply chain managers, operations coordinators, emergency programme managers, warehouse managers and disaster management personnel. It is particularly useful for staff supporting relief operations where access, infrastructure and supply availability are uncertain.

General supply chain courses usually focus on stable commercial demand, planned purchasing and established distribution networks. This course addresses humanitarian principles, emergency procurement, donor controls, volatile access conditions, inter-agency coordination and accountable relief delivery.

Participants can use the planning templates, assessment checklist, supply pipeline model and performance dashboard structures in their current operations. The application plan identifies priority changes to make within the following ninety days.

Each day runs from 08:30 to 16:30 and provides about 6.5 contact hours. Time is allocated across ten modules covering assessment, planning, procurement, warehousing, transport, distribution, reporting, coordination and contingency readiness.

Questions about this course?

Ask about dates, fees, group bookings or running it for your team. Our training team replies by email.

Ask on WhatsApp info@skillsetdevelopment.com

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