SANY Foundation and OCHA Forge Partnership to Enhance Humanitarian Response
During the 2026 Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW), a pivotal agreement was signed between SANY Foundation and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes a formal collaboration framework aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness, emergency response, and recovery strategies for communities facing crises around the globe. The MoU signing, which took place on March 18, 2026, marked a significant milestone as SANY Foundation became the first corporate foundation from China to partner with OCHA.
The agreement was signed by Edem Wosornu, OCHA's Director of the Crisis Response Division, alongside Dr. Olivier Huang, the Chairman of SANY France. This collaboration is not just a formality; it represents both organizations' commitment to mobilizing resources effectively during significant humanitarian challenges.
Throughout HNPW, SANY Foundation was actively involved in noteworthy events, including sessions organized by the Connecting Business initiative (CBI). On March 10, SANY participated in a themed breakfast meeting that included notable organizations such as Visa, Microsoft, and UPS, where discussions centered around private-sector engagement in humanitarian efforts. Danxi Shen, the Secretary-General of SANY Foundation, shared valuable insights from the company’s previous disaster response experiences, including responses to earthquakes in Turkey and Myanmar, as well as flood relief initiatives in Indonesia and the United States. He emphasized the critical role that construction machinery plays in rescue operations, debris clearance, and rebuilding access to communities affected by disasters.
The following day, a panel discussion hosted by CBI focused on corporate philanthropy's essential role in global humanitarian action, bringing together representatives from various foundations and NGOs. At this event, SANY Foundation recounted its actions during the 2025 floods in Sumatra, where it collaborated with Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and KADIN to deploy 13 heavy equipment units. This collaboration lasted over two weeks, ultimately reopening numerous emergency access routes and providing much-needed relief.
This partnership underlines the vital contributions that private sector resources, networks, and expertise can provide during humanitarian crises. Following the impactful discussions, the MoU ceremony took place, highlighting the integration of SANY's industrial knowledge, innovative technologies, and expansive global network into international humanitarian efforts. Kareem Elbayar, CBI Programme Coordinator, noted the importance of collaboration between government entities, businesses, and civil society to effectively tackle global disasters and safeguard vulnerable communities.
The agreement signifies a crucial advancement in SANY's larger mission to develop the Global Machinery Relief Alliance, uniting resources, equipment, and technologies to facilitate coordinated humanitarian responses. The aim is to foster a global environment where communities do not face disasters in isolation. SANY is dedicated to applying its industrial expertise and innovative capabilities to create a better future, proving their commitment to philanthropy and disaster relief. This partnership with OCHA stands as a testament to their long-term vision of sustained humanitarian support and response readiness on a global scale.