DHL supports Japanese government with pro-bono domestic delivery of relief supplies

DHL Japan delivers international relief supplies from Narita to disaster areas

Bonn, 05/05/2011, 11:00 AM CEST

DHL staff in Tokyo handling relief goods from Hungary in April 2011.

Following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, DHL has embarked on a relief initiative to support the Government of Japan by providing pro-bono domestic delivery of relief supplies in affected areas within Japan. Leveraging its logistics expertise, DHL has committed to inventory, sorting and delivery of relief supplies at DHL’s warehouse at Narita International Airport for a month starting from 20th April.

Relief supplies from international governments have been arriving at Narita International Airport more than a month after the disaster. DHL has been storing the goods temporarily at its warehouse and coordinating delivery with the Japanese government to locations affected by the disaster.

Commenting on the initiative, DHL Japan President and Representative Director Taketo Yamakawa said. “As Japan comes together in various capacities to recover from the earthquake and tsunami, DHL is committed to deploying its expertise the best way we know how – by efficiently managing the logistics during relief efforts. We are honored to be able to contribute to the country’s reconstruction efforts.”

Various support activities

Rainer Wend, Executive Vice President of Politics and Corporate Responsibility at Deutsche Post DHL stressed that: “As the world’s biggest private logistics company, we want to take responsibility and support Japan in this difficult situation. So far, our employees at Narita Airport have handled and delivered five tons of food, water and flashlights.”

Within days following the earthquake, Deutsche Post DHL activated various support activities under the GoHelp pillar of its corporate responsibility program. To date, the Group has donated 20 tons of drinking water, food and baby supplies via local governments to areas affected by the disaster. DHL has also delivered 30 tons of relief goods from the European Commission to Sendai City, and provided transportation for relief supplies collected by domestic NGOs and schools at no cost. In addition, monetary donations collected from employees globally have been matched by corporate donations from DHL’s headquarters in Bonn, and transferred to the Red Cross Japan Disaster Relief Fund.