DSV and UNICEF Strengthen Partnership to Enhance Humanitarian Support for Children
DSV, one of the world’s leading transport and logistics companies, and UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, have announced a significant expansion of their strategic partnership. This strengthened collaboration will prioritize accelerating the delivery of life-saving supplies to children during humanitarian emergencies and further deepen the humanitarian action component of their existing multi-faceted alliance. The partnership, structured around three core pillars—emergency response, child welfare, and supply chain resilience—now enters a more impactful phase with enhanced logistics support from DSV, particularly in the form of increased in-kind air freight during times of crisis.
This milestone comes as the partnership reaches the one-year mark of a three-year agreement, originally initiated in 2024. Over the past year, DSV has played a critical role in supporting UNICEF’s emergency response operations, utilizing its global logistics network, aviation capabilities, and industry expertise to help reach vulnerable children and families with speed and precision. The newly expanded agreement represents a mutual commitment to scale up these efforts at a time when humanitarian needs around the world are escalating, driven by conflict, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and climate-related challenges.
A Strengthened Commitment to Children in Crisis
The deepened partnership reflects a shared understanding between DSV and UNICEF: timely access to critical supplies can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency. Whether it’s delivering medical kits during a disease outbreak, tents and shelter in a post-disaster zone, or nutritional supplements in areas experiencing food insecurity, the ability to move goods quickly and reliably is paramount. With global supply chains under increasing pressure and resources stretched thin across the humanitarian sector, partnerships like this one are proving vital to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable populations.
“Saving and protecting children’s lives is a collective endeavor,” said Carla Haddad Mardini, UNICEF’s Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships. “Hard-won progress has been possible thanks to the generosity and commitment of our partners who share our mission to help children survive and thrive. Our collaboration with DSV has already shown how vital logistics partnerships are in times of crisis. With this expanded agreement, we’re better positioned to respond swiftly and effectively when and where children need us most.”
Results from Year One: Delivering Critical Aid to Seven Countries
Since the launch of the partnership in September 2024, DSV has provided UNICEF with in-kind air freight services for the delivery of over 85 tonnes of essential emergency supplies. These humanitarian shipments have reached children and families in seven countries affected by crises, showcasing the tangible impact of the collaboration.
One of the most notable interventions took place in Lebanon, where DSV supported UNICEF’s first airlift in response to a humanitarian emergency in 2024. This mission played a crucial role in delivering medical supplies, clean water equipment, and protective gear to vulnerable populations affected by escalating instability in the region.
In another critical operation, DSV facilitated the delivery of 30 tonnes of vital medical equipment and tents to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to support UNICEF’s response to an mpox (monkeypox) outbreak. The logistical complexity of delivering such large volumes of sensitive cargo to remote areas was overcome through DSV’s global infrastructure and dedicated coordination with UNICEF’s emergency teams on the ground.
These examples illustrate how the partnership not only speeds up the delivery of aid but also ensures the right supplies reach the right places at the right time—often within days of a disaster or outbreak.
Combining Expertise for Global Impact
As a top-tier logistics provider operating in over 80 countries, DSV brings unparalleled expertise in transportation, supply chain management, and warehousing. By aligning these capabilities with UNICEF’s global mandate and operational footprint, the partnership creates a force multiplier effect that enhances emergency response capacity on both sides.
“We’re proud to be contributing to the important work that UNICEF is doing for children in need across the world,” said Jens H. Lund, Group CEO of DSV. “Throughout this partnership, we remain committed to combining our logistics expertise, vast network, and operational efficiency with UNICEF’s humanitarian leadership. Together, we can overcome logistical barriers and deliver essential aid to even the most hard-to-reach areas.”
Lund emphasized that this partnership exemplifies DSV’s broader commitment to corporate responsibility and sustainable impact. “This isn’t just about moving goods from point A to point B—it’s about enabling critical humanitarian interventions that save lives and restore hope in the midst of chaos,” he added.
Preparedness as a Strategic Advantage
One of the key elements of the expanded agreement is the emphasis on pre-positioning and preparedness. Pre-established in-kind flight agreements such as those offered by DSV play a critical role in facilitating rapid responses to emergencies. By planning ahead and securing logistics capacity before a disaster strikes, UNICEF can ensure that life-saving supplies are mobilized and deployed within the critical first hours or days of an emergency.
This is especially important in today’s volatile global landscape, where the frequency and severity of crises continue to rise. Whether due to conflict in the Middle East, climate-related disasters in Africa, or health emergencies in Asia, the need for rapid and reliable supply chain solutions has never been greater. DSV’s expanded support will help UNICEF maintain the agility needed to respond to multiple emergencies at once—an increasingly common scenario in the current humanitarian environment.
Long-Term Vision: Resilience and Sustainable Impact
While emergency response remains a central focus of the partnership, DSV and UNICEF are also working together on long-term goals aimed at building more resilient and efficient supply chains for the future. These efforts are particularly crucial in low-income and fragile states, where supply chain infrastructure is often inadequate or easily disrupted.
By collaborating on logistics innovations, route optimization, and local capacity building, DSV and UNICEF hope to reduce future vulnerabilities and ensure that children continue to have equitable access to health care, nutrition, education, and protection services, even in times of crisis.
The broader three-pillar strategy guiding this partnership includes:
- Humanitarian Action – Accelerating emergency responses through in-kind flights and logistical support.
- Supply Chain Development – Enhancing UNICEF’s long-term supply chain capabilities.
- Child Well-Being Initiatives – Supporting global efforts to improve outcomes for children in health, education, and protection.
Each of these pillars supports UNICEF’s mission to reach every child, especially the most disadvantaged, and aligns with DSV’s values around corporate citizenship, sustainability, and ethical business practices.
A Model for Cross-Sector Collaboration
In an era where no single organization can tackle global challenges alone, the DSV–UNICEF partnership serves as a model for how public-private cooperation can amplify impact. By pooling resources, sharing expertise, and aligning goals, DSV and UNICEF are helping to redefine what effective humanitarian logistics looks like in the 21st century.
As the partnership continues through 2026, both organizations are optimistic about the potential to reach even more children, in more countries, with even greater speed and efficiency. The expanded agreement not only builds on the successes of the past year but also lays the groundwork for a more responsive, resilient, and equitable humanitarian system—one where no child is left behind during a crisis.