Strengthened logistics, coordination, and information systems have significantly boosted Bhutan's National Disaster Management Organisations, enabling a more effective and efficient disaster response.
Situated in the seismically active eastern Himalayan region, Bhutan is exposed to a wide range of climate change impacts and hazards such as landslides, wildfires, glacial lake outburst floods, and earthquakes.
Although the country has hardly experienced large-scale emergencies in its recent history, Bhutan’s landscape poses a critical challenge to logistics access and delivery of humanitarian assistance, making logistics preparedness a crucial priority. Since 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) of the Royal Government of Bhutan, with the support of Global Logistics Cluster’s Field-Based Preparedness Project (FBPP) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP), has been spearheading efforts to enhance the national humanitarian supply chain and logistics (HSC&L) preparedness. This initiative takes a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach, bringing together key stakeholders to build resilience through coordinated logistics efforts.
Logistics preparedness is a priority for MoAL, especially in light of global disasters like cyclones, landslides, earthquakes. We took it very seriously, as demonstrated by our preparedness work in Bhutan - Tsheten, National Logistics Coordinator, MoAL
The formation of the National Logistics Preparedness Working Group (NLPWG) was a key milestone in this journey. This group has been instrumental in assessing Bhutan’s HSC&L capacity using tools like the Capacity Needs Mapping (CNM), leading to the creation of a National logistics preparedness five-year action plan aimed at reinforcing logistics coordination and information management. The NLPWG’s efforts have effectively fostered a collaborative environment that’s essential for efficient operations before, during, and after emergencies.
Previously, each agency operated in silos, but the NLPWG platform has enabled better collaboration with each other. The logistics preparedness plan and the SOP clarify the key players in our overall logistics and response plan - Jamyang Tashi Wangdi, Chief Livestock Production Officer, MoAL.
In 2022, MoAL launched a learning needs assessment survey to determine the existing logistics preparedness capacities and the scope of learning needs of national and district-level stakeholders. Three regional Humanitarian Supply Chain and Logistics Management (HSCLM) workshops were organized to enhance HSC&L skills of district-level actors and develop district-level logistics preparedness action plans.
The culmination of these efforts is the National Logistics Operations Manual (NLOM), introduced in 2023 to guide strategic decisions and improve emergency logistics coordination.
Over the past three years, we've dived deep into each agency's SOPs, fostering synergies and clear communication path to enhance coordination and collaboration. - Sangay Tshong, Disaster Management Officer, Bhutan Red Cross Society (BRCS).
In 2024, as Bhutan transitions to full ownership of its logistics preparedness activities, the NLPWG has identified several opportunities for continued improvement. These include advocacy for strengthening humanitarian logistics preparedness at decision-making levels and endorsing the five-year logistics preparedness action plan and the NLOM.
Stakeholders now take ownership and collective challenges, recognizing that no single agency can solve them alone. Collaboration and shared solutions have become the norm in the working group - Tashi Lhundup, Supply Chain Officer, WFP Bhutan.
Bhutan’s efforts in humanitarian logistics preparedness showcase the impact of strategic investment and strong leadership. Through increased political commitment to, and investment in the strengthening of HSC&L preparedness and capacities, Bhutan will be better placed and equipped to effectively respond to large-scale emergencies should it happen in the future.
In Bhutan, with strong leadership and supportive environment, even a small investment goes a long way. There is immense potential for both WFP and the country to grow in emergency logistics, as well-reflected in our country strategic plan. - Dechen Yangzom, Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer, WFP Bhutan.
For more information about the Field-Based Preparedness Project in Bhutan, please visit Bhutan preparedness webpage.