ESUPS spoke with logistics and information management colleagues from the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) and the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) to understand why visibility of emergency items is essential and how the adoption of the STOCKHOLM platform is supporting decision-making in the country.
“It has become very important for me to know what stock is available and where so we can quickly deploy. I’m also relying on STOCKHOLM to see what we need to pre-position… it helps us prepare ahead”, Idaraobong Ekanem, Senior Disaster Management Officer at IFRC.
The conversation focused on their use of the STOCKHOLM platform to share stock data and coordinate with partners when responding to climate-related emergencies in Nigeria. Idaraobong recalls a recent response in Kwara State, where the STOCKHOLM platform helped identify the closest available stock, enabling faster deployment.
“Recently we had a crisis in Kwara and it was the STOCKHOLM platform that helped us to know what aid items are where and the closest warehouse where we could deploy”.
Without shared visibility, duplication of efforts is common. STOCKHOLM creates a basis for more coordinated action by making stock data visible and shareable. Analysis can be generated and shared with partners, helping organisations align their distribution and avoid duplications.
“STOCKHOLM can reduce coordination challenges drastically because the information is at hand. I suggest other partners also to use it so when we respond we know who to contact immediately”, Zulkifilu Aliyu, Information Management Officer at IFRC.
Auwal Salisu, Procurement and Logistics Coordinator at the Nigerian Red Cross, described the non-food items commonly stored in their warehouses, mentioning kitchen sets, jerrycans, buckets, mats and mosquito nets. Those essential emergency items are the first line of support for families affected by disaster and conflict. Timely data on their availability, quantity and location directly shape how quickly and effectively response teams can act.
“It is very relevant because whenever disaster strike and the request is coming, we know what we have in stock”, Auwal Salisu, Procurement and Logistics Coordinator at the Nigerian Red Cross.
Ass. Coordinator Procurement and Logistics at NRCS
Senior Disaster Management Officer at IFRC
Information Management Officer at IFRC
To reflect the realities on the ground, STOCKHOLM shapes its development priorities according to the feedback received from the users. That is why the developers are preparing a new dashboard designed to provide more relevant data on stock availability, personalized for each user role.
“STOCKHOLM helps you to understand the needs. It shows immediate live data, helps in reporting with transparency and empowers decision-making”, Zulkifilu Aliyu, Information Management Officer at IFRC.
By continuing to listen closely to users and respond to their feedback, ESUPS is ensuring that STOCKHOLM remains practical, relevant, and useful for those managing humanitarian response on the ground.