Strengthening Lifelines: Airlink’s APAC Workshop Builds Regional Capacity for Emergency Aid Delivery
Airlink’s 3rd Annual APAC Logistics Preparedness Workshop, held from August 11–13, 2025, at the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Kuala Lumpur was an impactful initiative to equip organization engaged in the humanitarian field with valuable knowledge and resources on effective deployment of humanitarian aid and first responders. The 3-day intense program was based on Airlink’s 10-step guide for nonprofits sending humanitarian aid in emergencies. The program delivered hands-on, practical training to strengthen disaster response capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region.
A-PAD Sri Lanka was pleased to be among the participants, represented by Mr. Firzan Hashim, Country Director of A-PAD SL and COO of A-PAD; Ms. Sandali Rupasinghe; and Ms. Raeesha Ikram. The event gathered more than 40 participants from 30 organizations, fostering rich exchanges on lessons learned from past humanitarian responses, with a special focus on the recent Myanmar earthquake and regional disaster preparedness.
The 10-Step Guide provided detailed directions on essential logistics processes – from handling and shipping Dangerous Goods (DG), correct packing and labeling, and navigating customs clearance, to selecting appropriate Incoterms, securing insurance, estimating costs, understanding liability, ensuring proper documentation, and executing final cargo dispatch.
The session was led by Ms. Claire Leow, Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific; Ms. Brigid McKeon, Partnership and Innovation Officer; and Ms. Erin Sorady, Humanitarian Program Manager, Asia and Pacific of Airlink Inc. Michael Culme-Seymour, Airlink Ambassador and Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific at World Courier, was also present.
Co-led by the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) and HELP Logistics, the workshop blended breakout sessions, hands-on simulations, and discussions with regional coordination bodies.
Importantly, the private sector was also represented through organizations such as SEKO Logistics and DHL, highlighting its critical role and the invaluable support it brings to humanitarian logistics. Private sector participants shared their expertise and real-world experiences in freight handling, cargo movement, and the complexities of classifying and transporting Dangerous Goods (DG).
The training was invaluable for A-PAD Sri Lanka with many insights and expertise shared during the workshop. The knowledge gained will directly contribute to improving our logistical readiness and operational efficiency in disaster response. We extend our sincere gratitude to Airlink for organizing such a timely and impactful initiative. This experience has further strengthened our commitment to amplifying our network, and we look forward to sharing these learnings across our platforms and member organizations to enhance collective humanitarian preparedness and response in the region.
