Humanitarian aid organisations seek fleet efficiency advice

Humanitarian aid organisations seek advice on fleet efficiency

The idea of managing their fleets at maximum efficiency appears to have taken hold at many of the world's largest humanitarian aid organisations.

Each year such organisations hold a 'Fleet Forum' event. At the most recent one, staged in Amsterdam and attended by NGO fleet managers from around the world (under the heading of 'Driving Humanitarian Fleet Management'), much of the discussion centred on saving precious resources through better fleet management. Those present were responsible for in excess of half a million vehicles world-wide and millions of pounds of precious aid items bound for disaster hit zones.

Rob McConnell of the World Food Programme and Co-ordinator for the Fleet Forum said: 'Most members of the forum voted in favour of fleet management systems being implemented within the NGO (non-Governmental organisation) sector as a whole, agreeing that it’s highly desirable and achievable.

"Efficient fleet management would guarantee visibility of data, costs and accountability. It's clear that a poorly managed fleet will cost up to two or three times more than the regular costs and in addition to that it brings inefficiencies to the entire operational process."

UK fleet software specialist Chevin Fleet Solutions, which supplies fleet management software to many organisations across the globe, was invited to address delegates. As a result of this, the company has entered into discussions with a major European NGO keen to supply all of its field teams with vehicle and inventory management systems.

Chevin sales and marketing manager Gavin Clark said: "It was good to see the message about the benefits of efficient fleet management being taken on board by so many large aid organisations, most of which could benefit enormously. Chevin will continue to support the Fleet Forum and is working with a number of participants to provide the information they need, to ensure that their fleets can go on providing help to the most trouble-hit areas of the world.

"Vehicles in these fleets often have to cover very poor terrain, working under extremely tough conditions, so preventative maintenance and breakdown repair is crucial. Managing this along with many other aspects of the fleet operation is often extremely challenging. We are working alongside them to develop simple tools such as benchmarking.

"Spare parts deliveries into areas with no roads or local manufacturer representation, fuel deliveries into areas competing with deliveries of fresh water, and many other problems are just a few of those faced by fleet managers on the ground in places like Sudan and Pakistan. In addition, helping these organisations to reduce their operating costs still further, will result in more aid reaching the areas that need it.

"It was also very rewarding to receive such a useful lead. We can't name the organisation concerned, but it’s now looking to provide fleet software to cover all its missions across Europe. This is a very exciting opportunity for us to potentially help a major UN-funded organisation maximise its resources."

Ashley Sowerby, Chevin’s Managing Director added: "Using simple solutions to provide key performance information at the right time is vital in helping already over-stretched fleet managers meet the challenges that every mission faces. It will also provide useful data to sponsors and organisations' HQs, allowing them to see exactly where the money is being spent and ensuring that it is used in the most effective and efficient manner."