HUMANITARIAN OPERATION LEBANON

Emergency Operations

The CMA CGM Foundation works with major private and public organizations all around the world to carry out emergency operations in the event of sudden humanitarian crises or natural disasters. It mobilizes all the CMA CGM Group’s logistics solutions, whether by sea, land, or air, to transport humanitarian aid to populations in need. 

Our partnership with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

In partnership with the Crisis and Support Center of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Foundation has delivered emergency aid to 6 countries affected by major crises since 2020. 

In Lebanon, the day after the tragic 2020 Beirut Blast, the AKNOUL, one of the CMA CGM Group’s roll-on roll-off vessels, was leveraged to ship essential aid to Beirut free of charge. Its cargo consisted of building materials, nutritional products, and medical supplies, which were delivered to 18 local NGOs, 4 Lebanese hospitals and the Lebanese Red Cross.

A year later, the Foundation also delivered 110 containers filled with humanitarian aid (medical equipment, baby formula, nutritional and hygiene products, etc.) to 40 NGOs and 10 hospitals. 

The Foundation has also intervened in many countries in response to the COVID-19 crisis. For example, it carried out its first air operation in India in 2021, transporting 8 oxygen production units in the midst of the epidemic. It also carried out another special maritime operation for Tunisia, transporting 55 tons of medical equipment to hospitals.  

In Ukraine, the Foundation contributed to the international solidarity movement by organizing 3 emergency aid shipments with reference partners. The industrial and logistical resources of the CMA CGM Group were mobilized to transport more than 2,000 tons of emergency equipment to communities in need.

In Türkiye, the Foundation joined forces with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to help the victims of the 2023 earthquake. A CMA CGM AIR CARGO aircraft transported a field hospital to Gaziantep, capable of treating up to 100 patients a day.

In Morocco, in response to the devastating earthquake in September 2023, the Foundation donated 84 containers to various local NGOs. These containers were repurposed into housing, shelter, and classrooms, providing essential support for the earthquake victims.  

Our partnership with Red Cross societies all over the world

The Foundation is also a major logistics partner for many Red Cross societies around the world. 

In 2015, the French Red Cross joined the CMA CGM Foundation’s Containers of Hope program, which offers the free of charge maritime transport of humanitarian goods to over 420 ports around the world. Since then, the French Red Cross has transported more than 1,000 tons of humanitarian goods through the program.  

In 2024, this partnership was extended to include diversified logistical support, making the CMA CGM Foundation one of the main logistical partners of the French Red Cross. In addition to the services provided through Containers of Hope, the Foundation now provides free of charge road transport to supply local Red Cross centers with food. In Marseille, it also provides specific support to the Local Unit and the Territorial Delegation by improving their storage solutions and training volunteers in logistics. In the French Overseas Territories, the Foundation contributes to the improvement of the Red Cross’ regional intervention platforms (PIRAC and PIROI) by providing logistical equipment, emergency kits, solar panels and electric vehicles to enhance their crisis response capabilities. 

In 2023, the Foundation joined the American Red Cross’ Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP), providing incredible financial and logistical support to strengthen the Red Cross’ ability to deliver aid and hope in times of crisis. In particular, the Foundation draws on the assets and expertise of CMA CGM America, American President Lines, and CEVA Logistics to help the Red Cross fulfill its humanitarian mission across the U.S. 

In 2023, the Foundation donated 11 containers to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), which were transformed and integrated into the KRCS’ Innovation Center in Mombasa, known as #IOME001. The center provides access to resources, training and mentorship for youth and women, encouraging business and startup creation, improving employability, and creating sustainable solutions. 

In 2024, this partnership was expanded to allow KRCS to benefit from free of charge sea transportation through Containers of Hope, as well as container donations that allowed for the creation of new storage space, clinics, training centers, or other needed facilities. The Foundation's expanded support also enabled KRCS to expand its response to the El Niño crisis by purchasing two 6x6 trucks to reach remote affected areas, as well as thousands of additional emergency kits for affected families. 

In 2024, the CMA CGM Foundation committed to support the Lebanese Red Cross by supplying 50% of the annual fuel needs for ambulance operations, facilitating the transportation of over 150,000 patients throughout the year. The Foundation has also included the Lebanese Red Cross in its Containers of Hope program, which provides free of charge maritime transportation, and has provided customized logistics training to Red Cross staff through a skills sponsorship program involving CMA CGM Lebanon experts.