Kuwait: PWC Logistics, the largest provider of supply chain solutions in the Middle East and the eight largest logistics company in the world in terms of market capitalization, has confirmed participation in the Humanitarian Development Summit in Nairobi, Kenya in October of 2006.

"Global presence brings global responsibilities," said Tarek Sultan, Chairman and Managing Director of the corporation that now spans over 100 counties on six continents. "As we grow as a company, particularly in emerging markets, we understand that the scourge of poverty, disease, and disasters affect us all. No one can afford to ignore these problems."

The challenge of logistics in disaster situations is one that has gained increasing attention after the Tsunami in Asia in 2004 exposed the reality that logistics bottlenecks can often have fatal repercussions. And increasingly, the private sector is being drawn into discussions about how it can help.

PWC Logistics, with its track record of providing expeditionary logistics in some of the world's most challenging environments, is well-positioned to be part of this effort.

According to insider experts, companies like PWC Logistics add value because they represent specialized logistics expertise. "Performing complex logistics operations in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, where we routinely deal with major security threats, poor infrastructure, and weak local capacity has taught us to how to be adaptive and flexible," says Kevin Ruelas, a Business Development Director at the company with over sixteen years in the logistics industry. "Contingency logistics is something we understand."

Moreover, PWC Logistics has an existing structural network in many regions of the world affected by disasters, meaning that it may already have a presence on the ground that can be mobilized to respond when a disaster occurs. For obvious reasons, utilizing existing assets, personnel, and professional contacts can help reduce lead times and increase the efficiency of response. Companies like PWC Logistics also bring a strong information technology focus to the table.

According to the Fritz Institute, a leading think tank on humanitarian logistics, IT is a currently a chronic weakness in many disaster response efforts. For example, only 26 percent of Tsunami relief operations had access to any tracking and tracing software. A company like PWC Logistics, on the other hand, with its partnership with Microsoft and other technology providers and its own proprietary asset-tracking technology, can help close that gap.

PWC Logistics, along with its subsidiaries, has been involved in multiple humanitarian efforts in the past. It has supported peacekeeping operations in countries ranging from Burundi to Liberia; trucked supplies for earthquake victims in Pakistan, cleared freight for humanitarian organizations in the aftermath of the Tsunami in Indonesia, supported emergency electrification projects in Afghanistan, and moved fuel for humanitarian operations in Iraq.

"Participation in the Humanitarian Development Summit is the latest step in our ongoing initiative to support the humanitarian sector," says Sultan. "We believe that public-private partnership is the best way forward and look forward to doing our part."