Developing and strengthening end-to-end supply chains UNICEF often focuses on specific segments of the supply chain in support of governments and country programmes. However, there are situations where governments request more comprehensive support. Differences in economy, geography, local infrastructure and governance can result in a range of obstacles that governments must overcome if critical supplies are to reach children and families wherever they live.
Description
Activities
Comprehensive system strengthening
Support to development of national procurement and distribution systems
Projects are initiated by governments requesting capacity development and the establishment of supply chains to make the availability of essential medicines at district-level and in primary health centres reliable and predictable. UNICEF’s role can initially include direct supply operations, but is primarily advisory, focusing on technical assistance and training on multiple segments of the supply chain, including modernising processes for storage and documentation, inventory control and distribution, and optimising interfaces. Each programme plan is designed to improve government processes and the capacity of supply chain managers.
Strengthening supply chains for targeted commodity groups
Where governments request such support, UNICEF is more directly engaged in end-toend supply operations to ensure the right supplies are delivered to where they are needed at the right time. These projects are in line with national government programmes and health priorities, and are led by the government with support from UNICEF Country Offices.
Strengthening supply chains for integrated measles campaigns and child health days
Typically used in fragile environments
These are often more complex projects where the supply chain needs to deliver multiple health products simultaneously as part of a time-bound surge campaign. An existing supply chain network for the delivery of a particular product is often utilised to distribute other important supply items at the same time. For example, a child being immunized against measles may also receive Vitamin A supplements, de-worming tablets and a bed net while visiting the health centre.
Emergency response support
Procurement and in-country delivery of life-saving commodities and provision of supply and logistics expertise
Depending on the nature of the emergency, UNICEF’s supply response typically focuses on multiple elements to overcome supply chain interruptions, including identifying quality local suppliers, building local skills in emergency kit packing and establishing new warehouse hubs to preposition key commodities in anticipation of a scaled-up response or future emergencies.
Cold chain equipment and logistics
Fulfils a government commitment to improve children’s health outcomes by addressing supply chain bottlenecks that contribute to stock-outs, waste and inefficient performance
Commodity-specific projects may focus on improving national and subnational supply planning and the development of improved procurement and sourcing strategies, procedures and processes. Others may target optimising the interface between governments/partners and the UNICEF managed supply chain segments.
Long lasting insecticidal bed nets
Products related to HIV testing and treatment
Nutrition products RUTF
10 Supply Annual Report 2012
Areas of engagement
UNICEF’s supply chain strengthening support to countries 2008 - 2012
SYRIAN ARAB REP. LEBANON JORDAN
The map identifies countries where Supply Division (SD) was involved in supply chain projects encompassing most of the supply chain elements. These activities were led by government counterparts and supported through UNICEF Country Offices (COs). The support from SD is in addition to the supply chain work regularly done by COs. This map aims to highlight intensified efforts.
LIBYA
HAITI MAURITANIA
CAPE VERDE
MALI
NIGER
CHAD
SUDAN
ERITREA
SENEGAL GAMBIA
BURKINA FASO
GUINEA-BISSAU
GUINEA
DJIBOUTI
BENIN
ETHIOPIA
NIGERIA SIERRA LEONE LIBERIA
YEMEN
CÔTE D’IVOIRE GHANA
SOMALIA
SOUTH SUDAN
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC CAMEROON
CONGO
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
UGANDA KENYA
RWANDA BURUNDI
PERU
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
ANGOLA
COMOROS MALAWI
MOZAMBIQUE
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE MADAGASCAR
LESOTHO
12 Supply Annual Report 2012
KYRGYZSTAN DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S . REP. OF KOREA
Comprehensive system strengthening AFGHANISTAN
Strengthening supply chains for integrated measles campaigns and child health days
Emergency response support PAKISTAN
Strengthening supply chains for targeted commodity groups
BANGLADESH INDIA
MYANMAR
Cold chain equipment and logistics
LAO PEOPLE’S DEM. REP. PHILIPPINES
Long lasting insecticidal bed nets CAMBODIA
Products related to HIV testing and treatment
RUTF
Nutrition products
Strengthening supply chains 13