Amazon inaugurates its first center dedicated to helping victims of natural disasters in Europe

(Boursier.com) — Amazon announces the opening of its first center dedicated to helping victims of disasters in Europe. The company will provide the hub with 1,000 pallets of essential items, or 20 times the volume that can be transported by a Boeing 737, and will rely on its logistics network to transport essential products to NGOs and partners premises in the aftermath of natural disasters. The European Disaster Relief Hub is a dedicated space within Amazon’s logistics network where the company can quickly store and package essential items following storms, earthquakes, fires, floods or other emergency situations. It is located in Amazon’s fulfillment center in Rheinberg (Germany), an area easily accessible from major international airports and transportation networks.

“Natural disasters are today much more frequent and more and more violent, and we are mobilizing our stocks, our logistical infrastructure and our technology to help the populations affected by these emergency situations” declares Bettina Stix, Director of disaster assistance program. “We partnered with local and international organizations to better understand their needs and analyzed our data to identify the most sought-after products in the aftermath of natural disasters. The opening of this new hub in Germany will allow us to respond even more quickly and efficiently to disasters in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.”

The new 2,000 square meter center will be ready to respond to the most frequent natural disasters in Europe, particularly in the event of floods and forest fires. Among the items stored are emergency shelter products (tents, blankets, camp beds, mattresses, sleeping bags, etc.), hygiene kits (soaps, toothbrushes, toothpastes, etc.). ) and cleaning items (work gloves, cleaning products, etc.).

Amazon analyzed data on the types of products searched for after each natural disaster since 2017 and found that more than 80% of items are the same after each major disaster. Drawing on its own data and forecasts from partner organizations, Amazon teams have millions of essential items on hand, ready to be packaged and transported to affected populations as soon as needed. The most frequently searched for products include baby diapers, protective tarpaulins, camp beds, blankets, heaters and cleaning products. By having a dedicated infrastructure where these items are ready to ship, Amazon is able to deliver aid in less than 72 hours, much faster than if its teams had to package the items and coordinate between different locations on the European continent.