The modules for the Humanitarian Essentials Logistics Module (HELM) were developed following feedback from major humanitarian aid agencies on the need for short face to face events to allow staff to gain a wider understanding of the world of Humanitarian supply chain and logistics.

The HELM events serve as a development programme covering the essential functions and roles within humanitarian logistics and the supply chain. Attendance at the events is open to those who are looking at developing new skills, refreshing their professional knowledge and expanding their supply chain and logistics knowledge.

The HELM modules are a standalone programme with over 1100 people having attended in the first 10 years of the Programme. The HELM modules can be used either as an introduction or supplement to the learning on Fritz-CILT Humanitarian Logistics Certification Programmes.

HELM is endorsed by Humanitarian Logistics Association (HLA) and Institute of Supply Chain Management (IoSCM).

Since their introduction in 2015, HELM has been delivered in countries including Kenya, Liberia, Turkey, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo and Haiti. We continue to explore new locations for open events and requests for organisations for dedicated sessions.

There are no entry requirements for participating in a HELM Event – the course is open to anyone either working in, or with an interest in, humanitarian logistics. Students don’t need to be currently working for a humanitarian organisation. If your organisation has specific learning requirements, the HELM content can be tailored and delivered to meet your organisations’ needs.

These sessions can be attended by both English and French speakers, coaching is provided in both languages.

In 2022, HELM’s founder and tutor Haydn Sandvig was awarded the prestigious Contribution to Education Award by the Institute of Supply Chain Management (IoSCM) for his work in delivering and establishing the HELM Programmes – making HELM an award-winning course!

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Programmes

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HELM 1

For front-line logisticians, the essential understanding of Supply Chain operations, Warehousing, Inventory Control, Transport Operations and Fleet Management.

HELM 2

For front-line logisticians, the essential understanding of Procurement, Medical Logistics, Management and Leadership.

ADVANCED HELM

For more experienced logisticians, the programme covers Supply Chain Management through different phases of humanitarian relief, Stock Pre-Positioning, Team Management and Cash Transfer Programmes.

Upcoming HELM Events

29th July – 7th August 2025
Nairobi, Kenya: HELM 1 & 2 Diploma – Supply Chain, Warehousing & Inventory, Fleet Management & Transport, Procurement, Medical Logistics, Management & Leadership ($1,100.00 USD)

11th – 14th August 2025
Nairobi, Kenya: HELM 3 Advanced Diploma – Advanced Supply Chain Management, Stock Prepositioning, Phases of Humanitarian Response, Team Management & HR and Cash Transfer Programming (CBT/CVA/CTP) ($1,500.00 USD for the FULL 12-day session, including HELM 1 & 2)

18th – 22nd August 2025
Nairobi, Kenya: HELM 4 Diploma – Supply Chain & Logistics, Medical Procurement, Warehouse Storage & Inventory, Cold Chain Management, Distribution, Disposal ($900.00 USD)

9th – 18th September 2025
Dakar, Senegal: HELM 1 & 2 Diploma – Supply Chain, Warehousing & Inventory, Fleet Management & Transport, Procurement, Medical Logistics, Management & Leadership ($1,100.00 USD)

22nd – 25th September 2025
Dakar, Senegal: HELM 3 Advanced Diploma – Advanced Supply Chain Management, Stock Prepositioning, Phases of Humanitarian Response, Team Management & HR and Cash Transfer Programming (CBT/CVA/CTP) ($1,500.00 USD for the FULL 12-day session, including HELM 1 & 2)

*NEW DATE ADDED* 21st – 30th October 2025
Nairobi, Kenya: HELM 1 & 2 Diploma – Supply Chain, Warehousing & Inventory, Fleet Management & Transport, Procurement, Medical Logistics, Management & Leadership ($1,100.00 USD)

*NEW DATE ADDED* 3rd – 6th November 2025 Nairobi, Kenya: HELM 3 Advanced Diploma – Advanced Supply Chain Management, Stock Prepositioning, Phases of Humanitarian Response, Team Management & HR and Cash Transfer Programming (CBT/CVA/CTP) ($1,500.00 USD for the FULL 12-day session, including HELM 1 & 2)

*NEW DATE ADDED* 18th – 28th November 2025
Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines (Please note the session dates: additional days are required in the country to cover the weekends between sessions):

Session 1: 18th – 21st November: Supply Chain and Mapping, Warehouse & Inventory, Fleet and Transportation Management.

Session 2: 24th – 28th November: Procurement and Purchasing processes, Medical Logistics and Cold Chain, Cash Transfer Programmes (CBT/CVA/CTP) plus Soft Skills, Leadership v Management ($1,100.00 USD)

HELM 1

This is a four-day classroom based programme that will cover:

Supply Chain

What is Supply Chain Management, The Role of the Humanitarian Supply Chain Manager, How the Supply Chain Works and Improving the Supply Chain.

Warehousing & Inventory

The Function of the Warehouse, Layout of the Warehouse, Stock Control and Health and Safety in the Warehouse.

Transport & Fleet Management

The Role of Transport in the Supply Chain, Modes of Transport, Third Parties involved with Transport and Handling Requirements for Goods Movement.

HELM 2

This is a four-day classroom based programme that will cover:

Procurement

The Role of Procurement in the Supply Chain, Procurement Objectives, Determining the Specification Types and The Supplier Market.

Medical Supply Chain

Analysis of the Medical Logistics Operation, Medical Supply Chains, Storage Requirements, Procedures and Processes and Quality Assurance.

Management (Leaders vs Managers)

Managing a Humanitarian Logistics Team, Developing Personal Skills to Become a Leader, Organisational Skills and The Attributes of a Leader.

Advanced HELM

This is a four-day classroom based programme that will cover:

Supply Chain Management

Assessing the programme requirements and understanding the global supply chain and programme strategies. Ensuring we plan supply chain behaviour to follow any rules contained in organisation policies and standards. Understanding the supply chain network, planning the types of network and levels of resources needed to operate them and identifying the internal and external interfaces which will need to be built to sustain them.

Stock Repositioning

Providing supplies quickly and cost effectively, reducing the lead time to respond to emergencies, identifying critical material to be held in “stock” at strategic locations. Pre-Positioning models such as Framework agreements, Supplier stock, Government stocks, Organisation stock, Local agreements and Strategic pre-positioning networks.

Phases of Humanitarian Response

Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Relief, Reconstruction and Development.

Team Management & HR

Administer and coordinate groups of individuals to perform tasks, communication, objective setting and performance appraisals, guidance, instruction, direction and leadership.

Cash Transfer Programming

The world of humanitarian aid is changing and organisations are now recognising the importance of Cash Transfer Programming (CTP) in place of direct-aid to meet beneficiaries’ needs. This approach requires different expertise, skills, and resources, particularly the importance of the Supply Chain team in establishing that the right circumstances exist to effectively establish a CTP. Areas covered include – Supply Chain Assessments, Analyses, Preparedness, Retail Market Assessment, Procurement, Risk Identification, Monitoring the programme and suppliers.

Course Fee & Registration

For details of the current course fees and payment options, or to register your interest in attending a HELM event, please press the button below button:

HELM ENQUIRY LINK

Since the launch of the Fritz Institute – CILT Humanitarian Logistics Certification Programme (HLCP) in 2006, LLA has been delighted to be working alongside International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to deliver our Programmes to their staff. ICRC has been a huge supporter of HLCP and we are delighted to continue to work with them to develop our relationship.

As part of our evolving partnership, we are delighted to visit ICRC’s Regional Warehouse and Logistics Centre in Nairobi as part of our Humanitarian Essentials Logistics Module (HELM) training in Kenya. Since HELM first launched in 2015, we have been honoured to be allowed to visit ICRC’s Regional Centre, with our students learning valuable insight into how ICRC operates and gaining knowledge of internationally renowned best practices in storing and distributing aid and other essential goods. In this video, we take a closer look at how ICRC functions with an in-depth tour of their Centre.

In 2022, HELM’s founder and tutor Haydn Sandvig was awarded the prestigious Contribution to Education Award by the Institute of Supply Chain Management (IoSCM) for his work in delivering and establishing the HELM Programmes – making HELM an award-winning course!

Testimonial

”HELM really reflects the best practice based on humanitarian context and sphere project minimum standard, that is why the head of my organisation had to send two of my staff to attended the HELM event in Nairobi last year and he had to authorised the tuition fees to be covered by the organisation the way he did to me when I attended the same event in October this year.
This course has covered all the logistics functions where I have found myself fit in all areas of logistics e.g. warehousing, fleet, transport, supply chain, import/export and procurement, meaning that I can fit in any capacity within those areas mentioned above unlike before enrolled for this course.”

John Gatyiel Chuol
CHL, CHSCM and HELM Graduate

Testimonial

”This course has covered all the logistics functions where I have found myself fit in all areas of logistics e.g. warehousing, fleet, transport, supply chain, import/export and procurement, meaning that I can fit in any capacity within those areas mentioned above unlike before enrolled for this course.”

John Gatyiel Chuol
CHL, CHSCM and HELM Graduate