The transport and logistics industry celebrates two decades of Transaid’s life-saving programmes

Last week, we celebrated our 20th anniversary celebrations with a special showcase event in London, attended by more than 150 industry supporters, partners and development organisations, together with our Patron HRH The Princess Royal and the entire Transaid team.

The event highlighted Transaid’s activiit in sub-Saharan Africa, which have been made possible thanks to the extensive support of the transport and logistics industry and key funding partners.

Addressing assembled guests, The Princess Royal said: “Thank you for being part of the first 20 years of Transaid. I hope you can all see what has been achieved and what is yet to come. Your industry expertise and knowledge has driven this success, which is making a real difference in places where people are looking for change.”

Commenting on the importance of one of Transaid’s major initiatives, she added: “Evidence suggests that increasing driver training across sub-Saharan Africa has improved lives across the board – Transaid’s programmes have been proven to work and I hope the industry recognises the value they add.”

Our CEO, Caroline Barber, took the opportunity to announce the imminent scale up of the MAMaZ against Malaria programme, in which Transaid has demonstrated how a functioning supply chain can save children’s lives.

Speaking about Transaid’s first 20 years, Caroline said: “It’s been an incredible journey for us and we have made real progress in transforming people’s lives in Africa. We’re stronger than ever and we have a clear vision to guide us, with 32 faithful corporate partners by our side. Together we can make the world a better and safer place.”

“Transaid’s programmes have been proven to work and I hope the industry recognises the value they add.”

-HRH The Princess Royal

Ismaila Balogun, National Project Manager for the Emergency Transport Scheme (ETS) in Nigeria and a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, shared insight into his own experience of working alongside Transaid to implement the ETS in Adamawa State, Nigeria.

He told guests: “I have worked with Transaid since the beginning of the ETS scheme, sharing local transport solutions which improve access to basic services and economic opportunity for rural communities. These experiences have been profound and rewarding for me, and also for the lives of vulnerable women in sub-Saharan Africa who have been touched by the exceedingly great work and commitment that has been put in by Transaid.”

The 20th anniversary showcase event was held at Mail Rail – The Postal Museum, which was once the hub of logistics activity for the Royal Mail in London.