About This Course
Crises — whether natural disasters, pandemics, conflict, infrastructure failure, or humanitarian emergencies — place extraordinary demands on logistics and operations functions. Supply chains collapse, communication breaks down, resources are scarce, and decisions must be made quickly with incomplete information. Organisations that lack crisis-ready logistics capabilities face severe consequences: delayed responses, wasted resources, reputational damage, and, in humanitarian contexts, loss of life.
The Logistics and Operations in Crisis Management Training programme by TrainingComplex is designed to prepare logistics managers, operations coordinators, and supply chain professionals to function effectively when normal systems fail. Drawing on best practices from humanitarian logistics, military operations, business continuity management, and disaster risk reduction, this course provides a structured, actionable approach to crisis logistics — from early warning and pre-positioning of supplies to last-mile delivery and post-crisis recovery.
Participants will work through realistic crisis scenarios, apply internationally recognised frameworks, and build practical skills in resource mobilisation, fleet and warehouse management under emergency conditions, inter-agency coordination, and crisis communication. By the end of the programme, delegates will be equipped not only to respond when a crisis strikes but to lead their organisations in proactive preparedness efforts that reduce vulnerability and accelerate recovery.
Who Should Attend
- Logistics and supply chain managers responsible for maintaining operations during disruptions
- Operations officers and coordinators in NGOs, UN agencies, and humanitarian organisations
- Emergency response planners and business continuity managers
- Procurement and fleet management professionals in crisis-prone sectors
- Government officials overseeing disaster response logistics
- Military and civil defence logistics personnel transitioning to civilian roles
- Senior field officers managing multi-site operations in fragile or conflict-affected settings
Learning Objectives
- Understand the principles of crisis management and their implications for logistics and operations functions
- Design and implement logistics preparedness plans aligned with organisational business continuity frameworks
- Apply supply chain risk assessment tools to identify vulnerabilities before a crisis occurs
- Manage procurement, warehousing, and inventory under emergency conditions with limited resources
- Coordinate multi-agency and cross-sector logistics operations during complex emergencies
- Deploy effective fleet and transport management strategies in disrupted or insecure environments
- Establish and operate emergency distribution systems including last-mile delivery mechanisms
- Apply information management and reporting tools to support real-time operational decision-making
- Communicate effectively with internal teams, partners, donors, and media during a crisis
- Lead post-crisis logistics reviews to capture lessons learned and strengthen future preparedness
Course Modules
Module 1: Foundations of Crisis Management for Logistics Professionals
- Defining crises: types, phases, and the logistics implications of each
- Key international frameworks: Sphere Standards, OCHA cluster system, and Sendai Framework
- The logistics function in the crisis management cycle: preparedness, response, and recovery
- Organisational roles and responsibilities in a crisis logistics structure
- Decision-making under uncertainty: how logistics professionals escalate, delegate, and act with incomplete information
- Legal and regulatory considerations affecting cross-border logistics operations during declared emergencies
Module 2: Supply Chain Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Mapping
- Identifying and categorising supply chain risks: natural, political, economic, and operational
- Risk probability and impact analysis using the supply chain risk matrix
- Mapping supply chain nodes and identifying critical vulnerabilities
- Building risk registers and integrating them into business continuity planning
- Single-source and sole-supplier dependencies: recognising concentration risk and building alternative sourcing strategies
- Dynamic risk monitoring: tools and triggers for updating vulnerability assessments as the operating environment changes
Module 3: Logistics Preparedness Planning and Business Continuity
- Developing a Logistics Preparedness Plan (LPP) aligned with organisational BCP
- Pre-positioning of essential supplies: methodology, locations, and stock levels
- Establishing framework agreements and standby contracts with suppliers
- Trigger mechanisms: when and how to activate emergency logistics protocols
- Capacity surge planning: scaling up staffing, transport, and warehouse capacity within the first 72 hours of a crisis
- Testing and exercising the LPP through tabletop simulations and field drills to validate assumptions and close gaps
Module 4: Emergency Procurement and Supplier Management
- Emergency procurement principles: speed, transparency, and accountability under pressure
- Navigating donor compliance requirements during accelerated procurement processes
- Supplier qualification and due diligence in crisis conditions
- Managing supplier performance and contract variations during prolonged emergencies
- Micro-procurement and local market sourcing: balancing speed and value-for-money when global supply chains are disrupted
- Documentation and audit trail management in emergency procurement to satisfy post-crisis accountability reviews
Module 5: Warehousing and Inventory Management in Crisis Conditions
- Establishing and managing temporary warehouses and forward storage points
- Inventory tracking systems for high-velocity, high-volume emergency distributions
- Cold chain integrity and handling of sensitive commodities in degraded infrastructure
- Preventing fraud, diversion, and waste in emergency stock management
- Capacity planning for warehouse space under dynamic inflow and outflow conditions, including surge stock management
- Staff safety, access control, and physical security measures for emergency storage facilities in volatile environments
Module 6: Fleet and Transport Management in Disrupted Environments
- Assessing transport routes and managing logistics in insecure or damaged infrastructure
- Fleet mobilisation: owned assets, hired vehicles, and contracted transport providers
- Fuel management, maintenance scheduling, and contingency planning for fleet breakdowns
- Security protocols for convoy movement and driver safety in high-risk areas
- Transport cost analysis and modal selection: determining when to shift between road, air, river, or rail given access and cost constraints
- Driver welfare, fatigue management, and duty-of-care obligations for transport staff operating in prolonged crisis deployments
Module 7: Last-Mile Delivery and Emergency Distribution Systems
- Designing last-mile distribution strategies for hard-to-reach and conflict-affected populations
- Selection and management of distribution points: registration, crowd control, and beneficiary verification
- Partner and community engagement in distribution planning and monitoring
- Using technology — mobile data collection, GPS tracking, and e-vouchers — in emergency distributions
- Adapting distribution modalities for vulnerable groups including elderly, disabled, and female-headed households with restricted mobility
- Post-distribution monitoring: data collection methods and indicators used to assess whether commodities reached intended beneficiaries
Module 8: Multi-Agency Coordination and the Cluster System
- Structure and functioning of the UN Humanitarian Cluster System and its logistics cluster
- Coordinating with government counterparts, military actors, and civil society in joint operations
- Information sharing protocols and joint situation reporting across agency boundaries
- Managing competing priorities and resource allocation disputes in multi-actor responses
- Negotiating humanitarian access: principles, red lines, and practical tactics when engaging authorities or armed actors controlling territory
- Avoiding coordination fatigue: structuring engagement so that meetings and reporting obligations do not divert frontline operational capacity
Module 9: Crisis Communication and Information Management
- Internal crisis communication: keeping teams informed, aligned, and operationally focused
- External communication with donors, media, and affected communities during emergencies
- Situation reporting: structure, frequency, and accuracy standards under pressure
- Using dashboards, mapping tools, and KOBO/ODK platforms for real-time operational visibility
- Rumour management and counter-messaging: identifying misinformation that undermines operations and responding through trusted community channels
- Data protection and information security considerations when handling beneficiary and operational data in crisis contexts
Module 10: After-Action Review and Building Long-Term Resilience
- Conducting structured After-Action Reviews (AARs) and real-time evaluations of logistics responses
- Documenting lessons learned and translating them into updated SOPs and preparedness plans
- Building institutional memory: knowledge management systems for crisis logistics data
- Developing a personal and organisational resilience roadmap beyond the training
- Engaging frontline staff and affected communities in the review process to surface operational realities not captured in management reporting
- Benchmarking response performance against sector standards and peer organisations to identify systemic gaps and inform future investment in preparedness
Requirements & Prerequisites
Participants should have at least two years of experience in logistics, supply chain management, operations, or a closely related field. Familiarity with standard procurement, warehousing, or fleet management processes is expected. Prior exposure to emergency or humanitarian operations is helpful but not required, as the course is designed to bridge the gap from routine operations to crisis contexts.
Training Methodology
- Tabletop crisis simulations replicating real-world emergency scenarios drawn from floods, conflict, and pandemic response contexts
- Case study analysis of logistics operations in major crises including the 2010 Haiti earthquake response, COVID-19 supply chain disruptions, and East Africa drought relief efforts
- Group-based logistics planning exercises where teams develop and stress-test operational response plans
- Role-play exercises simulating inter-agency coordination meetings, donor reporting calls, and security briefings
- Hands-on application of supply chain risk mapping tools and emergency stock pre-positioning templates
- Facilitated after-action review sessions following each simulation to extract and consolidate lessons
- Peer-to-peer learning discussions drawing on participants' own field experience and organisational contexts
- Practical take-home toolkits including crisis logistics checklists, SOP templates, and resource mobilisation frameworks
Organisational Benefits
- Reduced operational downtime and faster recovery when crises occur
- Strengthened organisational resilience through proactive logistics preparedness planning
- Improved coordination with government bodies, UN clusters, and partner agencies during emergencies
- More efficient resource utilisation and reduced waste under emergency procurement conditions
- Enhanced staff confidence and decision-making capacity in high-pressure environments
- Reduced reputational and financial risk through better-managed crisis responses
- Compliance with donor and regulatory requirements related to emergency response logistics
- A cadre of internally certified crisis logistics professionals capable of leading future responses
Where Is Logistics and Operations in Crisis Management Training Offered?
This course runs in-person across: Mombasa, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Lagos, Kisumu, Naivasha, Nakuru, Arusha, Accra, Pretoria, Nairobi, Abuja, Cape Town, Kigali, Dubai, Johannesburg, Riyadh, Zanzibar, plus Live Virtual (online) cohorts. Browse live dates for your city below.
Upcoming Schedules
| Location | Format | Dates | Price |
|---|
| Mombasa, Kenya |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |
KES 115,000 |
| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,400 |
| Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
In-Person |
12 Oct 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,300 |
| Kampala, Uganda |
In-Person |
12 Oct 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 |
USD 1,900 |
| Lagos, Nigeria |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,500 |
| Kisumu, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 120,000 |
| Naivasha, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 120,000 |
| Nakuru, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 115,000 |
| Arusha, Tanzania |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,100 |
| Accra, Ghana |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,800 |
| Pretoria, South Africa |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,300 |
| Live Virtual |
Online |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 80,000 |
| Live Virtual |
Online |
24 Oct 2026 – 15 Nov 2026 |
KES 80,000 |
| Nairobi, Kenya |
In-Person |
26 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
KES 115,000 |
| Abuja, Nigeria |
In-Person |
26 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,800 |
+237 more dates — view live schedule →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior experience in humanitarian or emergency response to attend this course?
No prior humanitarian experience is required. The course is designed for logistics and operations professionals from any sector — private, public, or non-profit — and builds crisis-specific knowledge on top of general logistics competencies. Your existing operational experience will be a valuable asset throughout the programme.
Will I receive a certificate upon completing the course?
Yes. Participants who attend all sessions and complete the course requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion in Logistics and Operations in Crisis Management from TrainingComplex. This certificate is recognised by employers across the humanitarian, development, and private sectors.
How practical is the training — will there be hands-on activities?
The programme is highly applied. Roughly half of the contact time is devoted to tabletop simulations, group planning exercises, case study analysis, and role-play scenarios. Participants leave with a personal logistics preparedness toolkit they can immediately apply in their own organisations.
Is this course available online or only in person?
The course is primarily delivered in person across multiple locations in Africa and the Middle East. Live Virtual cohorts are also scheduled for participants who cannot travel. The in-person format is recommended for the full simulation and group exercise experience, but the virtual version covers the same curriculum with adapted interactive activities.
What is the class size, and will the training be tailored to my sector?
Class sizes are capped at 25 participants to ensure quality interaction and personalised facilitation. The trainer draws on case studies from humanitarian, government, and private-sector contexts, and group discussions are designed to accommodate participants from diverse sectors and operational environments.
