Press Release: Driver Recognition Programme 2019

Driving
Thursday, May 23, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

East and Southern Africa Driving Champion Finals: 2019 Driver Recognition Programme

Nairobi, Kenya, 20 May, 2019 - For the fourth year, the East African Driver Recognition Programme, a road safety competition to recognise the pivotal role of humanitarian drivers, is hosted in Kenya from 24th to 25th May 2019 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 coordinated 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 13 teams of drivers and managers from aid and development organisations will compete for the 2019 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 participate. At the start of the 2019 DRP, over 900 drivers from 50 country offices in 14 East African countries and representing 13 organisations, have registered. Since then, Fleet Forum worked with the country and senior management 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 recognise their drivers” says Nikita Udhwani, Fleet Forum Delivery Director.

About our Sponsors

Title sponsor for the event, United Parcel Service (UPS) is a global leader in logistics, operating in more than 200 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. 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 organisations 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-standing 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 a board member organisation of Fleet Forum, has graciously assumed the role of humanitarian host of this final event for the fourth consecutive 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 Interim National Director David Montague says: “The guidance, online tests, and practicals that our drivers undergo to prepare for the competition - through the Annual Fleet Safety and Security Programme - have enhanced their driving performance and safety skills. They are also able to operate vehicles in a fuel-efficient manner while keeping them in a good roadworthy condition.”

Mr Montague added: Because of our participation in this event, we have competent drivers who have confidence in their driving ability and skills.

About 112 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 organisation.

Other sponsors for the event are: Toyota Gibraltar Stockholdings and TerraMar Networks.

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, environmental 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, contact:
Renate Boere, Communications Specialist Fleet Forum
Email: renate.boere@fleetforum.org | http://www.fleetforum.org

Sarah Ooko, Senior Communications & Media Officer, World Vision Kenya Email: Sarah_Ooko@wvi.org; Cell: +254720896326