About us
The Humanitarian Logistics Association
The Humanitarian Logistics Association (HLA) is a UK-registered charity established in 2009. We empower logisticians, NGOs, government agencies, and private sector partners to deliver humanitarian aid more effectively by connecting supply with demand, supporting market transparency, and enabling cross-sector learning, innovation, and partnership.
Our focus
The HLA is focused on achieving three key outcomes
Policy change
We work with donors, aid organisations, private and public sectors to help them improve their supply chain management policies to enable improved aid delivery.
Market transparency
We support shared marketplaces which are recognised and used by all sectors involved in aid delivery, enabling resource efficiencies and better supported local businesses.
Empowered logisticians
We share evidence from research, projects, and case studies to drive skills development and improvements in supply chain design across the sector.
Our mission
To empower logisticians to deliver aid more effectively
HLA facilitates better connections between supply and demand, enabling cross-sector learning, innovations and partnerships, supporting market transparency, reducing waste and harnessing opportunities to help the total become greater than the sum.
Our history
20 years of sector-impacting achievements through partnerships
Marco Polo Declaration
Statement of intent to form a professionalisation association.
Agency Endorsement
Executive Committee representatives from Oxfam, WFP, La Guilde, ACF, World Vision, Red Cross, UNICEF, IMC and the Fritz Institute.
HLA registered as a charity
UK Charity Trustees appointed and an Advisory Group formed. HLA hosted by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK).
First Annual Conference
General Assembly held in Geneva.
Humanitarian Logistics Summit
Keynote address by HRH the Princess Royal, stressing the importance of effective logistics during major disasters.
Knowledge Hub
Initiative launched.
VolinHA Project
EU Volunteering in Humanitarian Aid. HLA helps improve standards and procedures in volunteer management.
World Humanitarian Summit
Contribution to the 'Grand Bargain'.
PARCEL Project
Website and technical standards hosted.
Universal Logistics Standards
Members contribute to development (project funded by DG-ECHO).
Thematic advocacy groups
HLA launches the Local Procurement Learning Partnership, Health and Humanitarian Supply Chain Capacity, and Last Mile.
Health & Humanitarian Logistics Conference
HLA's new annual event.
Research papers
On aid supply chains during Covid-19, and localisation.
Local Procurement Learning Framework
H2H Network funds HLA innovation supporting improvement of policies to procure aid items locally.
Kits that Fit
Project with UNICEF using 'mass customisation' for local sourcing of products for crisis-affected people in Kenya and Palestine.
Pilot Local Branches and LPF initiatives
Launched with a new Secretariat.
Growing sector knowledge, partnerships, reach and activities.
Governance
How we are governed
HLA is governed by a Board of Trustees representing the aid logistics, private, and academic sectors. The Board sets HLA's strategy, budget, and governance, supported by the HLA Advisory Group. Day-to-day operations are delivered by the HLA Operations Team, with support from volunteers across finance, project management, IT, and marketing.
Becoming a member
Member benefits and packages
HLA membership gives individuals, organisations, and local consultants access to the global humanitarian logistics network; including tenders, jobs, and the Knowledge Library. Membership packages are tailored to your organisation type.