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KLU Talks Business ... with Seán Rafter, HELP Logistics

Seán Rafter’s career reflects a deep curiosity and a practical operations mindset. From automotive engineering and telecommunications consulting, he transitioned to humanitarian logistics over a decade ago, bringing a unique blend of technical expertise, a passion for cross-cultural collaboration, and a commitment to creating positive global impact.

As Managing Director of HELP Logistics, a non-profit subsidiary of the Kühne Foundation, Seán Rafter leads a global effort to transform humanitarian logistics. With four regional offices across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, HELP Logistics delivers over 50 projects annually, fostering resilience, driving digital innovation, enhancing organizational strategy, and developing talent in supply chains.

While pursuing an Executive MBA at Kühne Logistics University (KLU), he discusses the importance of collaboration, technology, and sustainability in shaping a better future.

How has the role of logistics changed in humanitarian aid?

Seán Rafter: The increasing complexity and frequency of crises—natural disasters, pandemics, and conflicts—have positioned logistics as indispensable to humanitarian response. Although its critical role is clear, the sector faces a paradox: funding is shrinking even as needs escalate. Over the past decade, humanitarian logistics has evolved into a dynamic and specialized sector, yet it grapples with significant challenges, including climate impact, access constraints, safety concerns, and the slow adoption of cutting-edge technologies.

In my work, I’ve seen logistics evolve from an afterthought to the backbone of effective crisis response. It’s about ensuring critical aid reaches those who need it most, often under extreme constraints. This transformation underscores the sector’s growing recognition as a strategic enabler, one that is pivotal not only in responding to immediate needs but also in building resilience for the future.

 

What is the role of HELP Logistics?

Seán Rafter: HELP Logistics is a catalyst for transforming humanitarian and development supply chains. Our mission is to create supply chains that have a meaningful impact by bridging academic research, the private sector, and NGOs. We leverage advanced supply chain analytics, capacity-building programs, and strategic partnerships to address systemic inefficiencies while fostering local ownership and empowerment.

I’m particularly proud of our role as an enabler for local organizations. By integrating global expertise with local knowledge, we ensure that our solutions are both innovative and contextually relevant. I’m deeply committed to understanding the realities on the ground, which is why I prioritize direct engagement with our partners and communities. This hands-on approach, involving close collaboration with partners and communities, allows us to address gaps in the underfunded humanitarian sector and deliver sustainable, impactful solutions.

 

Sustainability and resilience are key challenges for the logistics sector today. Is this also true for humanitarian logistics?

Rafter: Sustainability is at the heart of what we do. The link between human resilience and resilience to climate challenges has never been more evident. Together with the Kühne Foundation Climate Center, we develop strategies for resilient and sustainable supply chains. We explore how supply chains can adapt to future crises through innovative and environmentally sustainable strategies.

Technology plays a vital role in this. Humanitarian logistics is, at its core, logistics like any other. The same principles of efficiency, adaptability, and scalability apply. Technologies like Artificial Intelligence are key to optimizing resource allocation, improving coordination, and enhancing system interoperability. These tools can have a transformative impact, particularly when designed for resource-constrained settings, such as regions without stable infrastructure or with frequent power outages.

 

How important is academic research for your work?

Rafter: The Centre for Humanitarian Operations Research and Development (CHORD) at KLU was born out of a recognition that the humanitarian sector needed a dedicated space to bridge the gap between research and practice. When I joined HELP Logistics, I saw a clear opportunity to align our work with academic rigor, enabling faster adoption of innovative solutions.

The Executive MBA program at KLU, focused on leadership and supply chain management, equips me to address both strategic and operational challenges. By integrating academic insights into HELP Logistics’ projects and partnerships, we ensure that our work is grounded in rigorous analysis while remaining highly practical. Combining academic rigor with actionable strategies is key to driving progress in humanitarian logistics.

 

Knowing a lot about KLU, how would you describe it in three words?

Seán Rafter: Friendly, Innovative, Diverse.