Dar es salaam: DP World and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have successfully delivered 5,000 metric tonnes of rice to assist humanitarian response operations in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Rwanda. This initiative aims to support vulnerable communities struggling with acute food insecurity.
According to Emirates News Agency, the shipments highlight the collaborative efforts of DP World and WFP to enhance humanitarian supply chains and improve access to essential food supplies in high-need areas. The rice was transported through DP World's Shipping Solutions business, previously known as Unifeeder, from DP World's Mundra Terminal in India to the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
From Dar es Salaam, the World Food Programme moved the rice overland through its regional logistics network to facilitate humanitarian operations in Burundi, the DRC, and Rwanda. The DRC, facing one of the largest hunger crises globally due to conflict, displacement, and the lingering effects of the Ebola outbreak, sees more than 27 million people grappling with acute food insecurity. Meanwhile, Burundi experiences heightened humanitarian pressures due to the influx of families escaping insecurity in eastern DRC, adding strain to local food systems. Rwanda continues to assist refugees and asylum seekers from neighboring countries.
These shipments are crucial for sustaining WFP's life-saving operations, enabling food assistance for over 14,200 additional people for a month. By providing in-kind logistics support, DP World is aiding WFP in extending the reach and efficiency of its humanitarian efforts amid rising global humanitarian needs and tightening funding constraints.
This delivery is part of a broader collaboration between DP World and WFP, established in 2025, aimed at enhancing the efficiency, reach, and sustainability of humanitarian logistics networks. DP World's Shipping Solutions is leveraging its expansive network and agile fleet to provide WFP better access to critical supplies for communities in dire need.
DP World's Shipping Solutions operates over 100 container vessels, connecting more than 200 ports with its coastal, short-sea, and feedering solutions, completing over 16,000 port calls annually. Beyond emergency responses, DP World is committed to building resilient supply chains that enhance disaster preparedness, bolster regional logistics capabilities, and support long-term recovery efforts.
Ganesh Raj, Global Chief Operating Officer of Marine Services at DP World, expressed pride in supporting WFP's life-saving work through their Shipping Solutions network. Ayla Bajwa, Group Senior Vice President of Sustainability at DP World, emphasized the transformative power of trade in improving lives and supporting communities facing significant challenges. Alex Marianelli, Director of Supply Chain at WFP, highlighted the importance of partnerships in ensuring life-saving food assistance reaches those in need, thanking DP World for their support.
Through this collaboration, DP World and WFP are combining logistics expertise and humanitarian reach to ensure critical food supplies reach vulnerable communities efficiently and at scale, demonstrating the power of partnerships between humanitarian organizations and the private sector.