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As we approach the end of another busy year, we are pleased to report that the Fritz-CILT Humanitarian Logistics Certification Programmes continue to increase in popularity, leading to greater skilled capacity in the number of Certified Logisticians providing aid and logistical assistance to the most vulnerable people in the world. This year alone, we have seen a large increase in the number of new enrolments for these vitally important Programmes, both from organisationally sponsored students and self-funding individuals.

The increase in enrolments follows the relaunch of the Certification in Humanitarian Logistics (CHL) and Certification in Humanitarian Supply Chain Management (CHSCM) Programmes in 2017, where both Programmes were redesigned to include Cash Transfer Programming as part of the course content. This recent article from WFP shows how, in Kenya, cash is being used as a viable alternative to food and is helping to strengthen local trade.

According to the recent Global Humanitarian Assistance Report for 2018, there were over 200 million people worldwide who required humanitarian assistance last year, a fifth of whom were in Syria, Yemen and Turkey. We have also seen the terrible aftermath of the earthquakes in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia and the Southern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea, as well as floods in Nigeria and India, and the continuing effects of war in the Middle East. Sadly, with the number of people in need of aid expecting to increase yet further in the years to come, the need to increase capacity in the humanitarian sector is a pressing matter for NGOs.

This is where we are proud to offer our expertise. The programmes have been designed and developed by the Certification Advisory Group of UN and NGO to Certify logisticians competence to apply their knowledge and skills. Additionally, candidates work on a case study simulation of humanitarian events where they are encouraged to learn new skills and new ideas, with the ultimate goal of achieving a more proficient team able to handle the logistics and supply chain needs of any situation. The feedback we have received from our students this year highlights how students have improved their practical skills in delivering humanitarian aid, as well as confidence, productivity, and overall knowledge of humanitarian responses. This all leads to an increase in capacity for NGOs, helping them to deliver aid faster, and more effectively, to those in need.

The Programmes are studied through online, distance learning, with the practical application of skills and experience demonstrated through using our interactive case study, SCILaid. This is based on a simulated humanitarian relief effort which encourages students to make decisions and come up with solutions to both common and complex problems within the humanitarian supply chain. You can see how SCILaid works by watching our Demo video here. Students are then given assignments (called ‘tasks’) to complete based on SCILaid and, once completed, are returned to LLA via email. Your assigned tutor will then provide feedback and let you know if the task is completed, or if it requires further work. Once all of the tasks are marked as ‘Clear’, as you have passed your Independent Assessment, your course is complete! We then send you the certificate, which you will normally receive within 6-8 weeks depending on your location.

“The course is well structured to cover the core aspects of supply chain making it easy and enjoyable to learn. The support provided was prompt and invaluable, they were always happy to help. Examples of improvements in my work include identifying medical needs for medical programmes, providing special storage requirements in terms of temperature, cold chain and controlled drugs, choosing the right mode of transport and how to manage medical waste and the process of disposal.” – Isaac Waweru – MedLog Graduate.

LLA Logistics Learning Alliance