Fleet Forum: Driver Recognition Programme 2018

Thursday, September 13, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

East and Southern Africa Driving Champion Finals: 2018 Driver Recognition Programme

Nairobi, Kenya, 14th September, 2018 - For the third year, the East African 2018 Driver Recognition Programme, a road safety competition to recognise the pivotal role of humanitarian drivers, is hosted in Kenya from 14th to 15th September 2018 in Lukenya.

About the Event

The Driver Recognition Programme is an eco- and safe driving interagency humanitarian competition, that recognises the important role drivers play in the sustainability, health and safety objectives, of aid and development organisations. The event is co-ordinated by Fleet Forum, an international non-profit organisation, that brings the transport sector together to chart a way in fleet management and road safety.

In aid and development organisations, drivers are responsible for the wellbeing and safety of passengers, but are also in charge of high value vehicles and equipment. They are the most prominent public ‘face’ of the organisation, and often have to deal with difficult situations, bad roads, hostile environments and unfair demands. This event is designed to engage, educate, inspire and recognise the best drivers for their contribution, in supporting a workforce of persons who drive safely and remain accident-free at all times, in order to save lives and eliminate crash-related costs.

A total of 11 teams of drivers and managers from aid and development organisations will compete for the 2018 Driving Champion Award. Organisations like Catholic Relief Services, World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, Mercy Corps, Marie Stopes International, Kenya Red Cross and many more will partici- pate. At the start of the programme in February, over 700 drivers from multiple organisations in East African countries have registered. Since then, Fleet Forum worked with the country and senior manage- ment of each organisation to identify their best driver.

At the final event, each driver will be accompanied by a senior representative of the same organisation, who serves as a ‘co-driver’, encouraging and cheering on their drivers.

“Despite their critical role in delivery of aid, drivers often go unrecognised. By facilitating this programme, Fleet Forum aims to provide the aid and development community with a useful tool to engage and rec- ognise their drivers” says Nikita Udhwani, Fleet Forum Programme Manager.

About our Sponsors

Title sponsor for the event, United Parcel Service (UPS) is a global leader in logistics, operating in more than 220 countries and territories.

Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs. Founded in 1951, The UPS Foundation leads the global citizenship programs for UPS, which includes philanthropy, corporate relations and community engagement in local, national, and international communities.The UPS Foundation engages with organizations around the globe to enhance community safety.

UPS is known in the sector to have safety ingrained in its culture, especially in its training and recognition schemes, making it a prime example for the humanitarian sector. Fleet Forum appreciates the long-stand- ing relationship it has with UPS as an organisation on its Board as well as the donor of multiple road safety programmes over the years.”

World Vision, long-time supporter and board member organisation of Fleet Forum, has graciously assumed the role of humanitarian host of this final event for the third year. World Vision consistently strives to invest in their drivers and understand that performance management involves recognising both positive behaviours as well as areas of the improvement of their drivers. It is through their unwavering support that Fleet Forum is able to facilitate such an event.

World Vision Kenya National Director Francois Batalingaya says “We recognise the important role our drivers play to help us achieve and deliver our programmes and that is why World Vision co-hosts and participates in the Driver Recognition Programme.

Mr. Batalingaya noted that our drivers are essential to the delivery of World Vision Kenya projects and programmes and without their hard-work, it would be impossible achieve our mandate. Under this programme, we aim to foster our driver’s sense of pride through positive acknowledgement as well as the possibility to represent World Vision Kenya. As a child focussed organization we are confident our competent drivers operate vehicles safely, fuel-efficiently and can improve the service levels of our project and programmes”

About 120 drivers serve World Vision Kenya in various projects and programme implementation activities in 35 counties in Kenya. The Annual Fleet Safety and Security training enables our drivers to understand the vehicle well, together with it’s operating systems. This seeks to ensure that the vehicle is safe, kept in a good road worthy condition and that it is being operated in a manner that is economical to the organ- isation.

Other sponsors for the event are: Toyota Gibraltar Stockholdings, TerraMar Networks and Heritage In- surance.

About Fleet Forum

Founded in 2003, Fleet Forum seeks to improve transport effectiveness in humanitarian organizations in low- and middle-income countries. We provide leadership and support to transport organisations, both in the aid and development and commercial transport sectors. Our focus areas are road safety, environ- mental impact, and cost efficiency.

Fleet Forum works with transport and fleet professionals to set the standard for sustainable transport management. We deliver a complete range of services and products that improve safety, efficiency, and

effectiveness while reducing the environmental impact of transport. And in our convening role, Fleet Forum brings together all stakeholders to discuss, to learn, and to facilitate collaboration.

For more information, please contact:

Renate Boere: renate.boere@fleetforum.org

May Ondeng
Communications Manager
World Vision Kenya
Email: May_Ondeng@wvi.org
Cell: +254 712 267655

                                      http://www.fleetforum.org and www.wvi.org/kenya