An integrated routing and scheduling model for evacuation and commodity distribution in large-scale disaster relief operations: a case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 283 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 643-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Sabouhi ◽  
Ali Bozorgi-Amiri ◽  
Mohammad Moshref-Javadi ◽  
Mehdi Heydari
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Routing And Scheduling ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Scheduling Model ◽  
Relief Operations

scholarly journals Assessing the Intensity of the Population Affected by a Complex Natural Disaster Using Social Media Data

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changxiu Cheng ◽  
Ting Zhang ◽  
Kai Su ◽  
Peichao Gao ◽  
Shi Shen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Natural Disaster ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Social Media Data ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
Media Data

Complex natural disasters often cause people to suffer hardships, and they can cause a large number of casualties. A population that has been affected by a natural disaster is at high risk and desperately in need of help. Even with the timely assessment and knowledge of the degree that natural disasters affect populations, challenges arise during emergency response in the aftermath of a natural disaster. This paper proposes an approach to assessing the near-real-time intensity of the affected population using social media data. Because of its fatal impact on the Philippines, Typhoon Haiyan was selected as a case study. The results show that the normalized affected population index (NAPI) has a significant ability to indicate the affected population intensity. With the geographic information of disasters, more accurate and relevant disaster relief information can be extracted from social media data. The method proposed in this paper will benefit disaster relief operations and decision-making, which can be executed in a timely manner.

Lessons from the humanitarian disaster logistics management

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1455-1473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Asif Salam ◽  
Sami A. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Logistics Management ◽  
Military Establishment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Disaster Logistics ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
The Military

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to draw lessons for logistics management in humanitarian disasters, using the earthquake in Haiti as a case study. In Haiti, there were problems with the logistical response. This study investigates the humanitarian logistics challenges faced by various stakeholders in Haiti during the disaster-relief operations.Design/methodology/approachIn this exploratory case study, the central methodology used was data triangulation. Data triangulation involved interviews with respondents grouped into three categories, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the military establishment and the governmental agencies. Prominence is given to the common themes expressed by each group. These common themes are then compared to the themes of other groups to identify opportunities and problems for future disaster relief operations.FindingsThe study indicates that there is a clear gap in terms of how the humanitarian efforts were coordinated between different actors. Lack of civil–military cooperation and coordination was one of the findings from the interviews, and many of the resources and initiatives were overlapping or redundant. Timeliness and efficiency need to be at the forefront of all planning and would result in more saved lives and reduced human suffering. The key goal of humanitarian logistics stipulates is to form connections and relationships, which was well illustrated through the informants' interviews. It was found that organizing different stakeholders/actors to work together by sharing processes and distribution channels demands a vision that goes beyond logistics management. Government agencies, the military establishment, NGOs, locals and victims need to collaborate to create a synergy in generating solutions that are tailored to the shock of the disaster in the first place.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study relies on a single case study approach as disaster scenarios are unique in terms of their impact, magnitude, timing and location. Despite these limitations, this study provides a detailed account of the logistical challenges in dealing with the disaster that took place in Haiti. The logistics-related lessons learned from this case study should be carefully applied in other settings, taken into consideration contextual differences.Practical implicationsOne important aspect of measuring efficiency for any commercial logistics system is key performance indicators (KPIs) that indicate how well the firm is doing in managing its inbound and outbound operations. From a practical standpoint, the Haiti case raised a challenging concern with regard to how to measure the performance of humanitarian disaster logistics. This is a starting point to understand the dynamics of disaster system efficiency and logistics interplay and offers a few lessons to improve the resource availability in the case of future emergencies.Originality/valueThis study lays the groundwork for future researchers to explore and debrief on the topic once disaster relief draws to a close and time has allowed logisticians and relief workers to analyze the response mechanisms used in disasters.

The role of intermodal transportation in humanitarian supply chains

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Zhang, MS ◽  
Lesley Strawderman, PhD ◽  
Burak Eksioglu, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Current Response ◽  
Intermodal Transportation ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Transportation Modes ◽  
Relief Operations

After a natural or man-made disaster, effective and efficient disaster relief support is needed. People affected by disasters should be moved from impacted areas, and staff and disaster relief supplies need to be moved to affected destinations in a timely manner. Disaster relief supply chains facilitate the transportation of personnel and supplies that directly affect the humanitarian aid performance. Utilizing appropriate transportation modes in the relief chain is critical to maintain effective relief operations. The main objective of this study is to identify the role of intermodal transportation and related decision making in disaster relief transportation. This objective will be achieved through the following specific aims: identify and assess the current response operations; determine how, if at all, and why humanitarian organizations utilize different modes of transportation to move goods and personnel effectively and efficiently when responding to and recovering from disasters; and identify factors that will potentially enhance the attractiveness of using intermodal transportation. To achieve these aims, two rounds of interviews were conducted first, and second, a large-scale online survey was distributed. Data analysis found that intermodal transportation is not frequently used in disaster relief operations. Decision makers in disaster relief agencies consider multiple factors when choosing transportation modes, but among the factors identified by participants, travel distance was the transportation mode considered most often, regardless of whether supplies or people were being transported. Finally, the organizations that cover larger areas and preposition supplies in their relief operations tend to use intermodal transportation more frequently.

scholarly journals Saving lives with fewer discussions - coordination between military and non-military organisations during disaster relief operations

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Johan Stevens ◽  
Janjaap Semeijn ◽  
Cees Johannes Gelderman
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Military Organization ◽  
Coordination Problems ◽  
Military Organizations ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
The Military ◽  
Relief Organizations

Purpose: This study focusses on the coordination required between military and non-military organisations during humanitarian disasters. Design / Research methods: An in-depth case study was conducted of the disaster relief operation after hurricane Matthew on Haiti in October 2016. We investigated the support of the Dutch military organization and its coordination with the non-military relief organizations. We examined coordination issues at operational, tactical, and strategic levels. Findings: The study shows that no coordination problems occurred at operational level. At the tactical level, cultural differences between military and non-military organizations resulted in coordination problems and deviant perspectives on urgency. At the strategic level, there was a disagreement between the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Dutch Ministry of Defence regarding the Oslo Guidelines. A minority agreed that the guidelines actually apply to military organizations during disaster relief operations. Practical implications: The coordination between the military organization and the non-military relief organization during disaster relief operations can be improved by promoting common and mutual respect and defining a clear tasks and role fulfilments. A first step to improve the coordination is to get familiarity and clarity on the Oslo Guidelines. Another step for improvement is for the military organization to accept that it has no leading but an assistance role during disaster relief operations. Research limitations/implications: A single case study limits the external validity of the results, although useful insights were gained. Future research could address the role of the Oslo Guidelines during disaster relief operations. Are these guidelines still valid, should they be updated, and are the sufficiently known by all relief organizations, including the military? Originality/value of the article: The world is faced with an increasing occurrence of disasters affecting human lives. More lives could be saved when military and non-military organizations would work together more effectively. This is one of the first studies to explore the terms of engagement at the start of relief operations.

Supply Chain Efficacy in Relief Delivery

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Neeta Baporikar ◽  
Frans Atshipara
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Relief Distribution ◽  
Drought Relief ◽  
Relief Operations

Supply chain efficacy in disaster relief operations is crucial as disaster in any form brings grief and suffering. It also leads to colossal losses for those effected. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the challenges faced by the supply chain during the handling of disaster relief operations, namely drought. Adopting mixed research method involving both qualitative and quantitative, the focus is on performance of the supply chain in an organisation and residents of one of the most affected constituencies as a case study. Findings reflect that inadequate financial resources, restrictions on transport and difficulties associated with planning for the initial relief requirements of a distressed community are the main challenges for supply chain effectiveness in distribution the relief material. The strategies proposed, and recommendation made could be useful in improved supply chain for the effective handling of drought relief distribution and putting systems in place to the area of study and could help to align procedures for disaster response and aid in relief strategies.

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