road systems, making access to a wide range of transportation methods available and allowing for consistently low response times of 24-48 hours. Functions When Governments, UN agencies and NGOs look to respond quickly and efficiently to a disaster, they call on emergency supplies that are immediately available in UNHRD warehouses. By prepositioning relief items, the humanitarian community can support affected people at the very beginning of an emergency, often saving lives within the first 24–48 hours. UNHRD offers a range of supply chain solutions to relief organizations around the globe, acting as a 'one-stop shop' to its partners for storage, procurement, transport, handling, stock borrowing, technical field assistance and training centre facilities. Figures Originally, five humanitarian organisations relied on the UNHRD Network, including WFP itself. This number has since grown to 86 in 2017. Partner organisations that join the network are diverse, spanning UN agencies, governmental and non-governmental organisations. In 2017, the UNHRD Network managed 575 shipments in 95 countries supporting 36 partners in responding to humanitarian emergencies, including Hurricane Irma, the Rohingya Refugees Crisis in Bangladesh, and the South Sudanese Refugee Crisis in Uganda. See also United Nations World Food Programme United Nations Humanitarian Air Service Asia Emergency Response Facility External links Official website World Food Programme