The UPS Foundation has signed a partnership agreement with Zipline – a California-based robotics company – and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to explore using drones to provide a fast and cost-effective transport solution for delivering life-saving medicines like blood and vaccines across the world.
The UPS Foundation has awarded an US$800 000 grant to support the initial launch of this initiative in Rwanda.
“Public-private partnerships are the key to solving many of the world’s challenges, with each partner contributing its unique expertise,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation and chief diversity and inclusion officer at UPS. “UPS is always exploring innovative ways to enhance humanitarian logistics to help save lives, and we’re proud to partner with Gavi and Zipline as we explore ways to extend the Rwandan government’s innovations on a global scale.”
Starting later this year, the Rwandan government will use Zipline drones, which can make up to 150 deliveries of blood per day to 21 transfusion facilities located in the western half of the country.
While Rwanda’s national drone network will initially be focused on the delivery of blood supplies, the plan is to expand the initiative to include vaccines, treatments for HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and many other essential and lifesaving medicines. Rwanda’s drone delivery operation could serve as a model for other countries.
