Oil Patch Bits: Lynden continues humanitarian work in South Africa

Petroleum News

Lynden International said Oct. 2 that in addition to handling critical samples for the Ebola vaccine in West Africa, it is also supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development by coordinating the transportation of HIV rapid test kits to Zambia.

Lynden International Business Development Director Dan Gotham has worked with the federal agency for many years and says Lynden is proud to provide a strong link in the global health supply chain. “In the past we’ve provided disaster assistance and rapid response with our Hercs and multiple transportation options,” he said. Now, Lynden is supporting the test kit distribution as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief established in 2003 to address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic and help save the lives of those suffering from the disease, primarily in Africa.

Lynden coordinates the shipments of temperature-sensitive, high-value kits to South Africa. “We may have 30,000 kits in one 34-pallet shipment and 18,000 in another shipment of 55 pallets,” explained Eric Klunder, senior account executive. “We recognize the significant health impacts of each shipment and use extreme care at every step of the process.”

Lynden will handle the shipping through 2020 with destinations varying according to global health needs. “Besides delivering important cargo, we also serve as advisors to USAID,” Klunder added. “We have experience in the global health field and in serving challenging areas with developing economies. Our specialty is coordinating diplomatic clearance within those countries.”