Atlas logistique

We believe in the equitable delivery of aid to all vulnerable populations, and we work towards this every day by providing common logistics solutions for other humanitarian actors.

DRC, Edouard and Sylvain of the HI logistics platform project set up in response to the Kasai humanitarian crisis.

Ensuring aid reaches the most vulnerable

Atlas Logistique is one of HI's operational units that specializes in logistics services and supply chain management during humanitarian crises. Our service sectors include common transportation and storage, civil engineering, mechanic workshops, and advisory support services.

Challenging logistics conditions and poor infrastructure can limit access to aid for already vulnerable and isolated communities. Addressing these challenges alone or without the necessary technical expertise can divert time and resources from the overall response. Because of these challenges, isolated communities are often excluded from aid or are the last to receive it. As a part of the HI family, Atlas Logistique believes in the inclusive and equitable distribution of humanitarian aid for all vulnerable populations, and works towards this every day, through innovative and strategic logistics solutions that help actors go further, faster.

Atlas Logistique is committed to maximizing the impact of aid and ensuring its efficient and effective delivery. For almost 30 years we have been “helping you help others” – opening communications channels and supporting other humanitarian actors so aid reaches those who need it most.

"In the difficult context in Central African Republic, where organising any activity rapidly is extremely complicated, the work of actors such as Atlas Logistique, specialised in pooled transport and logistics solutions, is vital as it allows NGOs to focus on their core activities and to provide vulnerable people with the assistance they require as quickly as possible".

Grégoire Rivière, Rapid Response Manager, ACTED (Bambari - Central African Republic)

Common logistics solutions for humanitarian actors

The Atlas Logistique operational unit includes five HQ-based technical experts. We have two flying staff and 75 trained experts currently deployed or ready to deploy within 48 hours of an emergency to assess logistics needs and launch projects. We have the technical and operational capacity to open two additional projects per year.

Atlas Logistique enhances the mobility of humanitarian actors and affected populations. We open communications channels and ensure aid reaches all communities, including the hardest to reach, quickly and safely.

Our common logistics approach supports the efficient use of aid resources. We work with local actors to carry out our logistics solutions and provide them with capacity-building services during and prior to the response to better address emergency needs and help strengthen their economic activity. Our localization approach promotes local economic growth and acceptance, and enhances the resilience of the logistics environment.

As a humanitarian actor, we adhere to the humanitarian principles and promote solidarity and coordination among local and international humanitarian actors.

Common logistics services: The key to efficient humanitarian aid

HI - Atlas Logistique (HI-AL) has carried out a study with the WHU business school which shows that transport pooling can save around 22% in direct costs, and up to 28% in routing management time.

READ THE STUDY

At Atlas Logistique, we believe logistics should be seen not just as a support service for operations, but also as a key component of humanitarian response strategies.
Watch our short video to learn more!

STORY

DRC: Bridging the gap between population and healthcare

Bordering South Sudan and Uganda, the Ituri province of DRC is a tropical zone where access to healthcare remains challenging both for refugees fleeing the fighting in Sudan and the local population. Atlas Logistique used its expertise to create road access to this high-risk area to connect health centres and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Our Services

We can provide any of our services independently or as part of a package, according to the context and needs, and we intervene in both acute and stabilized crisis contexts, as well as in reconstruction and development phases.

Atlas Logistique specializes in the following sectors :

Common transportation and storage platforms

We work with local actors to provide in-country transportation and storage for organizations responding to a crisis. This includes coordination of central purchasing services. As part of our platforms, we also provide kitting services, and information-sharing on operational security for major communications channels. In development settings we help structure transportation sectors to open up and reinforce transportation to and from isolated markets.

Civil engineering

From rubble clearance to the rehabilitation of roads, bridges, airway and ferries, we carry out light civil engineering activities to address physical access issues that may affect aid delivery. We also monitor logistics vulnerabilities in the communications channels connecting isolated communities.

Mechanic workshops

The absence of vehicle maintenance services and spare parts can be a major barrier to the mobility of aid actors and the provision of aid. To ensure the optimal functioning of humanitarian vehicles, we operate mechanic workshops. We recruit and train local mechanics to reinforce existing economic systems and the commercial autonomy of affected areas.

Technical expertise

Atlas Logistique provides technical expertise and support to States, local authorities, humanitarian actors, and local economic actors. This includes logistics analysis, the monitoring of logistics vulnerabilities, capacity building, and premises management of search-and-resource bases, equipment and vehicles for UNDAC and relief actors.

Focus on SIGNAL

Atlas Logistique’s innovative approach to humanitarian logistics

The SIGNAL project supports humanitarian actors in identifying the most vulnerable communities, with the goal of ensuring the equitable and efficient delivery of aid while respecting the Do No Harm principle.

Our teams provide data analyses of the most logistically vulnerable areas in countries affected by crises or natural disasters. This entails calculating a country’s Logistics Vulnerability Index (LVI) and assessing the local logistics resilience.

By linking research with humanitarian action and collaborating with actors from multiple fields (including universities, NGOs, UN agencies), we intend to make logistics a key component of inclusive humanitarian aid and to change perceptions in terms of the inclusion of logistically vulnerable communities.

SIGNAL is supported by USAID, the H2H network, The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’ Crisis and Support Centre and the Ipsen Foundation. The project is currently being implemented in Haiti, DRC and the West African region (Togo, Benin and Burkina Faso).

According to a satisfaction survey conducted by the Logistics Cluster following our humanitarian response in Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2017

92%

of beneficiaries were satisfied with the service coordination

100%

of beneficiaries were satisfied with the services received

Partners

Every year, on average, Atlas Logistique coordinates with 40 partners. These include:

ACTED (Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development)