Foreign Affairs Officials Tours ICRC’s Nairobi Logistics Center

A delegation from the State Department for Foreign Affairs, led by Deputy Director General for the Multilateral Affairs Directorate, Ambassador Njambi Kinyungu, visited the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Logistics Support Center in Nairobi for consultations on humanitarian coordination, logistics, and regional cooperation.

The engagement brought together representatives from the ICRC, regional transport and clearance management offices, and the Kenya District of Human Rights University. Discussions underscored the value of professional expertise, institutional collaboration, and knowledge-sharing in strengthening humanitarian response systems across the region.

During the visit, the delegation received a briefing on the Nairobi hub’s operations. The facility, recognized as the ICRC’s second-largest logistics center globally, serves as a key platform for rapid emergency response operations in Africa, the Middle East, and other areas affected by conflict and humanitarian crises.

The ICRC highlighted Kenya’s strategic importance to its global activities, noting that nearly 38 percent of the organization’s worldwide operations are coordinated through the country. From its Nairobi regional delegation, the organization supports humanitarian activities in 40 African countries, with close to 600 personnel and an annual budget of 36 million Swiss francs.

Officials outlined the center’s integrated operational systems, which include procurement, warehousing, transportation, cold-chain management, emergency medical services, and protection support. These systems facilitate the timely delivery of humanitarian relief and essential supplies to affected populations.

Participants further recognized the center’s rapid response efforts during emergencies in Gaza, Libya, Chad, Ethiopia, and Somalia. They also noted the organization’s commitment to sustainability through environmentally responsible infrastructure, adherence to regulatory standards, and partnerships with the Kenya Red Cross Federation and other international stakeholders.

The delegation commended Kenya’s Special Economic Zone framework for contributing to improved operational efficiency and streamlined processing timelines, reinforcing Nairobi’s position as a regional humanitarian and logistics hub.

Kenya reaffirmed its appreciation for the longstanding partnership with the ICRC and reiterated its support for the organization’s humanitarian mission in assisting communities affected by conflict, displacement, and disasters.