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The race against the virus: DHL white paper update reveals learnings from one year into COVID-19

  • Involving over 350 facilities, DHL distributed more than 200 million vaccine doses to over 120 countries to date
  • From 2022 onward, a further 7-9 billion doses of vaccines are necessary annually to keep (re-)infection rates low and slow down the pace of virus mutations
  • Locally adapted last-mile delivery, distribution models and a constant stock of vaccines will continue to be critical beyond 2021

BONN, GERMANY – Media OutReach – 18 May 2021It has been more than a year since the world woke up to the news of the new SARS-COV-2 virus. What followed was the largest global health crisis in 100 years. The disruptions to every aspect of society have been profound. Logistics and supply chain management have played a vital role in pandemic management right from the start to ensure the availability and distribution of key pandemic management tools: medicines and medical supplies, such as vaccines, test kits, ancillary supplies, treatments, and personal protective equipment (PPE). With over 200 million doses of all approved vaccines distributed to over 120 countries and 9,000 operated flights in which more than 350 DHL facilities were involved, DHL was part of the response strategy from the beginning. Over 50 bilateral and multilateral collaborations with partners in both the pharma and public sector and several new dedicated services were created to stem this task. The recently published DHL white paper on “Revisiting Pandemic Resilience” takes one step back and sheds light into what the sector has learned from the race against COVID-19 to be best prepared to handle public health emergencies in the future.

“Logistics and supply chain management play a key role in pandemic management. Keeping supply chains running and ensuring delivery for essential health supplies provided valuable lessons”, explains Katja Busch, Chief Commercial Officer DHL. “We rolled out new dedicated services for the vaccine distribution at unprecedented speed. All sectors, industries, and nations must work together to successfully end the acute phase of this pandemic. Forming strong partnerships and leveraging data analytics will be key. We also need to remain prepared for high patient and vaccine volumes, maintain logistics infrastructure and capacity, while planning for seasonal fluctuations by providing a stable and well-equipped platform for the years to come.”

There are important achievements across research and development, production, and supply chain management as well as policy that will help us get through the crisis as a global community. The foundation of this was laid by research and development by developing a vaccine five times faster than any other vaccine in history and ramping up production in record time – quadrupling pre-COVID vaccine production capacities. Together with logistics and supply chain, they were able to get the life-saving vaccines to patients worldwide. Although unprecedented cold chain requirements of up to -70°C had to be met, logistics were able to roll out the distribution three times faster than usual. Furthermore, multilateral action by public health and policy actors has provided a conducive framework for rapid vaccine development and deployment.

“We are proud and privileged to have been involved in the shipments of vaccines, including to Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Our trained specialists have ensured that the stringent requirements were strictly adhered to and everything proceeded as planned. We believe that it is important for the logistics community to continue to play our part and equally advocate for constructive collaborations to boost our efforts in the fight against the pandemic,” said Leonora Lim, Head of Life Science and Healthcare, DHL Customer Solutions and Innovation, Asia Pacific.

Collaboration key to global vaccine distribution

For high levels of immunization, around 10 billion vaccine doses are required globally by end of 2021. However, only four countries have achieved vaccination rates >50% to date and many of the remaining countries and territories have less-developed infrastructure, making the rollout more difficult. To speed up vaccine distribution, the following areas need to be looked at:

  • Industries and nations must foster collaboration, paying special attention to building strong partnerships and a supportive data backbone.
  • For safe inbound supply flows, proactive transport-capacity management and sustainable return flows for packaging are needed. This is particularly critical as more than 95% of global COVID-19 vaccine doses are produced in just eight countries and need to be delivered worldwide.
  • Also locally tailored last-mile, ground distribution models should be put into place with a focus on strategic location of warehouses, the synchronization of vaccines and ancillaries flow as well as the number and location of vaccination points.

The set-up logistics infrastructure and capacity should be kept on that level as in the coming years further 7-9 billion doses of vaccines are necessary annually to keep (re-)infection rates low and slow down the pace of virus mutations – seasonal fluctuations not counted.

Planning for the future

Planning for the future it is essential to identify and prevent health crises early through active partnerships, expanded global warning systems, an integrated epidemic-preventions agenda and targeted R&D investments. It is also recommended to expand and institutionalize virus containment and countermeasures (e. g. digital contact tracing and national stockpiles) to ensure strategic preparedness and more efficient response times. To facilitate a speedy rollout of medication (i. e. diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines), governments and industries should employ “ever-warm” manufacturing capacity, blueprint research, production, and procurement plans, as well as expand local deployment capabilities.

To read the complete white paper, please click on the following link:
https://www.dhl.com/pandemic-resilience

Note to editors:


As the leading logistics provider for the life sciences and healthcare industry, DHL provides forward-thinking, intelligent healthcare logistics through a holistic range of patient-centric solutions. More than 9,000 specialists work across DHL’s dedicated global network so that pharmaceutical, medical devices, clinical trials and research organizations, wholesalers and distributors, as well as hospitals and healthcare providers are connected across the value chain and through digitalization, from clinical trials to point of care, and every step in between.


The organization provides high-quality, fully compliant logistics and supply chain services, and champions innovative technologies that benefit customers and deliver better care for patients. DHL’s portfolio for the healthcare industry includes 150+ pharmacists, 20+ clinical trials depots, 100+ certified stations, 160+ GDP-qualified warehouses, 15+ GMP-certified sites, 135+ medical express sites, and a time-definite international express network covering 220 countries and territories.

You can find the press release for download as well as further information on dpdhl.com/pressreleases

On the Internet: dpdhl.com/press

Follow us at: twitter.com/DeutschePostDHL

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.


DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 66 billion euros in 2020. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero-emissions logistics by 2050.

#DHL

Champasack Hit By Heavy Storms

Champasack Hit By Heavy Storms

A heavy storm hit parts of Champasack Province this morning, damaging a large number of residential properties.

Laos Confirms 49 New Cases of Covid-19

Covid-19 Update

Laos has confirmed 49 new cases of Covid-19 today according to an announcement by the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

BusinessFocus Award 2021 Grand Ceremony & Winners Unveiled

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 18 May 2021 – The award presentation ceremony of “BusinessFocus Award 2021”, presented by BusinessFocus, the market-leading business and finance online magazine, was successfully held at the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong on April 27, 2021. A number of both local and international corporations were honoured for their outstanding performance and innovation amid the economic, social disruption and daunting challenges posed by the pandemic. All winning companies were carefully selected by a group of professional panels. Standing out from the rest of the candidates has proven these winners to be highly competitive, thus worth recognizing.

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The pandemic has hit everyone hard in different ways, but some organisations in Hong Kong have never given up and turned crisis into opportunities. BusinessFocus Award 2021 aims to honour these diligent people and spread positive energy to the business world. This year, there are 12 award-winning companies ranging from large to SMEs boasting in various business categories, including real estate business, financial services, information and technology services, mobile telecommunications providers, electronic payment solutions services, student intermediary services and medical supplies services, etc.

The winners are:

  • Henderson Land Development Company Limited
  • New World Development Company Limited
  • DBS Hong Kong
  • Amazon Web Services
  • SmarTone
  • LG Business Solutions
  • Hang Seng Bank (Commercial Banking)
  • EFT Solutions
  • perform
  • Gang Piao Jia
  • Haenim
  • A&D Medical


Various renowned guests from different sectors were invited to present awards, including the Executive Council convenor Bernard Chan, and the Co-founder & CEO, iClick Interactive Asia Limited Mr Sammy Hsieh, were invited to present awards. Our honourable guests also shared their expertise and experience in managing business under the pandemic. Although some areas of the economy have been damaged and may never fully recover, other areas will adapt, reinvent, and help reinvigorate growth. Through exchanging ideas and inspirations, we all looked forward to a powerful recovery after a long period of economic shutdown.


For more information on the award, please visit https://businessfocus.io/campaign/award2021

About BusinessFocus

BusinessFocus, under PressLogic, is a fast-growing online business and finance magazine that provides managers, technology enthusiasts and entrepreneurs with new business, investment, technology and entrepreneurial inspiration. Combining our proprietary AI-powered analytic system, BusinessFocus crafts and distributes strategic native content that connects and inspires people. With over a million social media followers, BusinessFocus empowers brand marketers and corporations to engage target audiences. and create impactful branded contents with partners.

#BusinessFocus

Champasack Police Issue Statement on Slapping Incident

Police issue statement on slapping incident

Champasack police have issued a statement regarding the case of a man who was arrested for arguing with a police officer at a Covid-19 checkpoint.

Korean Company to Study Expansion of Luang Prabang Airport

Luang Prabang International Airport

The Korean Airports Corporation (KAC) has been selected to lead a feasibility study on the expansion of Luang Prabang International Airport.

LUX Smashes Sexist Labels Through Rousing Pop Anthem

Global beauty brand leverages pop culture to reframe mindsets on female stereotypes

 

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach – 18 May 2021 – Helming the rise of a new generation of bold and purpose-driven pop artists, Unilever’s global beauty brand LUX has set itself the task of championing a breakthrough against female labels leveraging China’s music industry. Released in April 2021, in collaboration with Universal Music Group China, WPP’s Mindshare and Wunderman Thompson, its music video “势不可挡 (Unstoppable)” has gone viral with the campaign garnering over 330 million views since its launch. The track features popular artist Dylan Xiong who reinterprets award-winning American singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson’s hit single “Stronger” with new lyrics comprising a crowd-sourced litany of judgements that women in China receive every day such as 拜金 (materialistic), 花瓶 (“flower vase”: pretty but empty) or 心机 (scheming, manipulative).

The music video spotlights strong, unstoppable women by showcasing their unapologetic beauty as they rise against this barrage of everyday judgements. With lyrics such as “Nobody can stop you from blossoming. Your light is unstoppable, you are your own bright shining light”, the rousing anthem celebrates women who are empowered and have the confidence to smash labels, bringing to the fore the need for women to express themselves just how they want to.

The track was released on all music streaming platforms in China on 12 April 2021. It was also performed on China’s largest music reality show 乘风破浪的姐姐 (Sisters Who Make Waves) where it went viral with 54.2 million users tuning in live and 280 million views on-demand thereafter. It was then shared globally among Dylan’s fan club accounts in the Philippines and Vietnam across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. The release of the music video on 30 April 2021 sparked a huge number of positive conversations online, with the #熊梓淇新歌势不可挡 campaign racking up over 61 million impressions to date.

Recognising music as a universal language that allows communication across cultural and linguistic boundaries, LUX crowd-sourced the judgements faced by respondents in China for UMG’s singer-songwriter Tifa Chen to incorporate them into the lyrics. This helped drive huge resonance and, consequently impact. “Your light is unstoppable, you are your own bright shining light”, was the most quoted lyrics of the song online suggesting the lyrics truly strike a chord with women in China.

Delving deeper into the impact of sexist labels on women, a global Nielsen study shows that 1 out of 2 women around the world have been judged for expressing themselves differently, and 70 per cent of these judgements are related to their appearance[1]. This data points to the growing consensus that a lack of confidence and self-editing to silence the critics is a long-term, critically damaging issue.

The music video also focuses greatly on allyship and its role in celebrating beauty as a source of strength, while advocating for greater social inclusivity to break down stereotypes. “A message is only as strong as the way it is delivered. The choice of having a young, inspiring male artist like Dylan to deliver this strong concept of allyship through popular culture truly has the power to make an impact at scale” shared Nicolas Tran Dinh, Global Digital & PR Lead at LUX. Additionally, Dylan also reiterates that “the lyrics in the song perfectly describe the independent attitude of women in the new era. I hope that my singing can bring you strength, and that you will be unafraid of labels and keep on shining, because your beauty is unstoppable!”

While inviting women to express themselves unapologetically is a mission that LUX has taken on for years now, having allies like Dylan rally to the cause strengthens the message and expands its reach. “With women constantly facing judgements around the world, LUX has been committed to inspiring women to embrace authentic beauty and empower true femininity without the need to self-edit,” shared Severine Vauleon, Global VP at LUX.

“In China, LUX has been tackling sexist labels and encouraging women to rise above with our communication campaigns for more than two years now. With the launch of this track and music video, we are igniting an important conversation on smashing female labels and empowering women to embrace their beauty fully and authentically. Through this partnership with Universal Music Group, we want to inform, educate, challenge and advocate for unapologetic self-expression and authenticity. At LUX, we believe that beauty should be a source of strength rather than a source of judgement,” Severine adds.

Echoing her comments, LUX’s Global Business Director at WT, Hinoti Joshi shares: “Through our creative thinking, we want to inspire women and those around her to embrace a more all-inclusive mindset on beauty. While this music video reflects the progressive narrative of unapologetic beauty that we wish to nurture, we recognise that the work is far from over and this is only the beginning.”

[1] Unveiling Concerns & Judgements Women Face Every Day, NIELSEN Quantitative Study, April 2020

About LUX

Lux has been celebrating beauty and femininity since 1925. We understand that beauty is a woman’s armour, her source of strength. It is hers to express, unapologetically. We will continue to help women everywhere fight casual sexism at home, in the workplace and in wider society. Lux is committed to reduce instances of, and inspire women to rise above, everyday sexism through content, activations and partnerships.

#LUX

TECNO TAIVOS™ Lab: How can signal processing and AI Imaging build the ultimate selfie

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 18 May 2021 – TECNO, a rising global smartphone brand, is taking huge steps forward with its cutting-edge innovations in AI-enhanced photography through its TECNO TAIVOS™ Lab. Set up to enhance photography and videography through research and deep analysis, the lab’s rational and meticulous approach has been garnering a lot of attention as well as adoption. With a goal of enhancing image beautification through photography and videography technology, TECNO’s TAIVOS™ Lab has been provided users an excellent and unprecedented visual experience, especially at night and low-light environments and its AI imaging boost a lot in the selfie exemplifying the latest TECNO CAMON 17 Pro.

One of the key indicators of success in research development is the number of patents being applied for. TECNO’s TAIVOS™ Lab is taking on proportions in terms of patent applications, applicable technology, and original research. To date, there has been hundreds of patent applications related to the work done in the TECNO TAIVOS™ Imaging Laboratory in 2020. Of these, regard, with an increasing number of patent applications expected to come from this dynamic and fertile idea generation test bed.

It is this understanding of the subjectiveness of beauty, which has led to the establishment of several imaging research centers and localized non-entity joint research institutions worldwide. These centers add to the growing and substantial research already conducted at the three core centers in China. More than 3000 local samples with approximately 6,120 evaluation scenarios spanning 115 countries enable the team possible to focus on the localized ethnic research, overall social aesthetic ideology and subjective aesthetic preference research, the author explored localized image product effect debugging, development and evaluation, so as to make the experience of product image effect direction conform to the localization trend. This covers at least 95% of the scenarios in which users will be utilizing their cameras. Where proof collection is concerned, TECNO is partnering with both individuals and organizations in the private and public sectors, with information and raw data coming from direct local, ethnographical sources.

Equipped with the 3A Algorithm and ISP (Image Signal Processor) module, all the TECNO TAIVOS™ verified cameras can be achieved a staggering 4,500 fine tuning parameters. This provides thoroughly fine-tuned and polished images with TECNO products. It helps to sharpen images for all three major skin types, covering all people groups, especially for those with darker skin tones. The Material Library inclusively extends over nine skin types and 76 categories. The materials were used over 1.3 billion times in 2020, with over 24 million users accessing this library. This assures consumers that no matter where they come from, their beauty can be enhanced effectively. It ensures higher quality selfies taken in day or night conditions. It explains the CAMON 17’s prowess through the Super Night Mode, which adds unrivalled clarity to photos, even when taken in the dark. The 1.6μm camera lets in more light and optimizes details against a low-light background. It also boost the quality dimensions of videography, such as “anti-shake, texture, noise, color, pseudo color”, as well as the application of video HDR, video night scene, video ZOOM and other scenes.

TECNO’s TAIVOS™ Labs have also made huge advances in Image Algorithm Technology. Incorporated within the CAMON devices latter half this year, the Galileo Algorithm Engine includes the “Moon Lock Focus System”, “Lunar Revolution Elimination Algorithm”, “Lunar Details Protection Algorithm”, and “AI Deep Learning Enhancement Algorithm”. All of these come together to produce ultra-clear telescopic images from the camera of a handphone. The Pixel-Level Segmentation Algorithm Engine includes the “3D Depth Calculation Algorithm” and the “Detection and Recognition Calculation”, to achieve pixel-level image segmentation accuracy, which paves the way for large aperture shooting, portrait bokeh shooting, and magical sky effects.

These technologies have elevated TECNO products above being merely smartphones, but rather distinguishing them as state-of-the-art cameras housed within a phone. The growth in the TECNO TAIVOS™ concept can be demystified by a clearer look at the technology employed, which debugged the secret to the report Counterpoint released the other day says TECNO Mobile leads in AI-enhanced photography as well.

#TECNO