Surface Transport & Storage
Surface transport is an important link in WFP's logistics chain. Each year, WFP must distribute over three million metric tons of food to over 80 million people in 80 countries around the world, facing the challenge of reaching beneficiaries via some of the toughest terrain on the planet.
About half the food distributed by WFP is sourced directly within the country or region where it is needed. The remaining half, sourced internationally, is shipped by sea and discharged in 78 cargo ports around the world. Once discharged, the food makes its way through a system that includes road, rail and river transport. To make this happen, WFP will have some 5,000 vehicles under contract from local companies at any one time.
If local markets lack the specific types or numbers of vehicles required, WFP establishes its own fleet. If existing warehouses are insufficient or unavailable, WFP erects new ones. If roads become impassable due to seasonal flooding, WFP uses forward planning to pre-position enough food to last until the waters subside. An average of one million tons of food is constantly in transit, passing through a network of more than 2,000 warehouses in central locations, extended delivery points and final destinations.
When the areas where food is needed are not accessible by road, rail or river, other methods are brought into action. Immediate response to critical shortages often requires cargo drops from aircraft and helicopter airlifts, but they are by no means the only alternatives. Locally engaged porters, as well as teams of elephants, yak, donkeys and camels are also used if necessary to carry life-saving food to beneficiaries cut off from the rest of the world.
Surface transport is a complicated challenge requiring rigorous planning and attention to detail. Professional management systems and committed staff help WFP meet that challenge