Identifying most typical and most ideal attribute levels in small populations of expert decision makers: Studying the Go/No Go decision of disaster relief organizations

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 100204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Isihara ◽  
Chaojun Shi ◽  
Jonathan Ward ◽  
Leo O'Malley ◽  
Skyler Laney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Small Populations ◽  
Attribute Levels ◽  
Relief Organizations

Essential Lessons in a Potential Sarin Attack Disaster Plan for a Resource-Constrained Environment

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew John Watermeyer ◽  
Nicole Dippenaar ◽  
Nelly Clotildea Tchouambou Simo ◽  
Sean Buchanan ◽  
Abdullah Ebrahim Laher
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Chemical Weapon ◽  
Resource Constrained ◽  
Delivery Methods ◽  
Disaster Plan ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Rapid Deployment ◽  
Relief Organizations ◽  
Fast Acting

AbstractSarin is a potent nerve agent chemical weapon that was originally designed for military purposes as a fast-acting anti-personnel weapon that would kill or disable large numbers of enemy troops. Its potent toxicity, ease of deployment, and rapid degradation allow for rapid deployment by an attacking force, who can safely enter the area of deployment a short while after its release. Sarin has been produced and stockpiled by a number of countries, and large quantities of it still exist despite collective agreements to cease manufacture and destroy stockpiles. Sarin’s ease of synthesis, which is easily disseminated across the Internet, increases the risk that terrorist organizations may use sarin to attack civilians. Sarin has been used in a number of terrorist attacks in Japan, and more recently in attacks in the Middle East, where nonmilitary organizations have led much of the disaster relief and provision of medical care. In the present article, we examine and discuss the available literature on sarin’s historical use, delivery methods, chemical properties, mechanism of action, decontamination process, and treatment. We present a management guideline to assist with the recognition of an attack and management of victims by medical professionals and disaster relief organizations, specifically in resource-constrained and austere environments. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:249–256)

Some Latent Consequences of Bureaucratic Efficiency in Disaster Relief

1969 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellwyn Stoddard
Keyword(s):  
Financial Support ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Voluntary Organizations ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Disaster Studies ◽  
Bureaucratic Efficiency ◽  
Relief Organizations ◽  
Popular Image ◽  
Efficient Distribution

An ever-expanding number of voluntary organizations have been created in recent decades to aid catastrophe victims. This proliferation of new groups, added to already existing relief organizations, has made the coordination of disaster relief increasingly difficult. Moreover, competitive spirit is fostered by the need of each to maintain a popular image of success and compassion since public reactions to their operations determine to a great extent how much financial support they can expect. But definitions of success may differ. A relief official may measure success in terms of the efficient distribution of a determined amount of food, clothing, shelter and services to those most in need. Yet material relief of this sort need not be the criterion of a successful relief operation from the victim's point of view. Most disaster studies fail to distinguish clearly between self-evaluation from within an organization and attitudes of those persons for whom the services are intended. It is my purpose here to clarify this distinction and to examine in some detail the effectiveness of two contrasting relief agencies. It is further anticipated that findings and concIusions from this study can be used to develop more effective methods for distributing disaster relief or for administering other welfare and relief programs.

The impact of social media on disaster relief effort – recovery coordination for Hurricane Harvey

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bidyut Hazarika ◽  
Alan Rea ◽  
Reza Mousavi ◽  
Kuanchin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Disaster Recovery ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disaster Event ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Relief Organizations ◽  
Post Disaster

Purpose This study aims to investigate patterns of social media posting occurring during the initial post-disaster recovery period. In addition, the study investigates the antecedents of user engagement with Twitter posts or “tweets.” Design/methodology/approach This study uses Hurricane Harvey as the research focus because of its $125bn in damage and the recovery effort associated with it. Analyzing nearly 38,000 tweets related to 2017’s Hurricane Harvey and specifically focuses on rescuers who became to be known as the “Cajun Navy.” Findings The popularity of the tweet significantly influences social media engagement; disaster relief organizations first should seek out alliances and partnerships with those who already are well-known or influential in social media. In addition, by regularly monitoring and participating in social media, such as encouraging retweets and mentions even when not responding to a disaster, agencies will gain social media followers and influence when these are most needed. Research limitations/implications By analyzing patterns of social media posts during and after Hurricane Harvey, this study attempts to quantify social media’s effectiveness during this disaster, in particular with a focus on what characteristics of Harvey-related Twitter posts most influenced user engagement. Practical implications Findings underscore the need for agencies to strengthen their social media presence and use it in all three phases of disaster conceptualization. Beyond managing communication with other agencies and the community, which alone is critical for an agency’s impact, social media offers the world as a potential audience for agencies that can deftly leverage it. Originality/value Social media has revolutionized not only communication but also inter-connectivity as people have normalized its use. Its ubiquity and efficiency have seen its incorporation into the critical area of emergency management, both during and after disasters. The main objective of this paper is to investigate and evaluate the usefulness of social media in disaster recovery efforts, focusing on its advantages in relation to a recent disaster event.

scholarly journals Effective International Medical Disaster Relief: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolette Broby ◽  
Jane H. Lassetter ◽  
Mary Williams ◽  
Blaine A. Winters
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Relief Organizations

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to assist organizations seeking to develop or improve their medical disaster relief effort by identifying fundamental elements and processes that permeate high-quality, international, medical disaster relief organizations and the teams they deploy.MethodsA qualitative descriptive design was used. Data were gathered from interviews with key personnel at five international medical response organizations, as well as during field observations conducted at multiple sites in Jordan and Greece, including three refugee camps. Data were then reviewed by the research team and coded to identify patterns, categories, and themes.ResultsThe results from this qualitative, descriptive design identified three themes which were key characteristics of success found in effective, well-established, international medical disaster relief organizations. These characteristics were first, ensuring an official invitation had been extended and the need for assistance had been identified. Second, the response to that need was done in an effective and sustainable manner. Third, effective organizations strived to obtain high-quality volunteers.ConclusionBy following the three key characteristics outlined in this research, organizations are more likely to improve the efficiency and quality of their work. In addition, they will be less likely to impede the overall recovery process.BrobyN, LassetterJH, WilliamsM, WintersBA. Effective international medical disaster relief: a qualitative descriptive study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(2):119–126.

Comparison of the Transparency Levels of Donor-Funded Earthquake Relief Organizations

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-220
Author(s):  
He Zhu ◽  
Chuanjin Tao
Keyword(s):  
Wenchuan Earthquake ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Organizational Form ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
The Wenchuan Earthquake ◽  
Relief Organizations ◽  
Very High

AbstractThrough researching and comparing the transparency levels of disaster relief organizations involved in the Wenchuan Earthquake, we discovered that the overall transparency levels of foundations were not very high. Moreover, the levels of transparency we found did not match the results of the A-level evaluations. Conversely, the group of organizations without A-level ratings had a higher transparency level because it included many organizations operating with bottom-up socialized mechanisms. This result means that, from society's perspective, having a small number of large, government-designated, legally registered organizations authorized to accept donations is not the most ideal organizational form.

Fuzzy Ratings and Utility Analysis in Preliminary Design Evaluation of Multiple Attributes

1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 648-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Thurston ◽  
J. V. Carnahan
Keyword(s):  
Material Selection ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Design Evaluation ◽  
Design Decision ◽  
Preliminary Design ◽  
Utility Analysis ◽  
Fuzzy Analysis ◽  
Attribute Levels ◽  
Multiple Attributes

A procedure for evaluation of multiple attributes in the preliminary design stage is necessary to the development of a more formal theory and methodology of design. In this paper we prescribe, demonstrate, and compare two such techniques: fuzzy set analysis and multiattribute utility analysis. We analyze the problem of preliminary material selection for an automotive bumper beam to illustrate the application of both analytical procedures. Preliminary assessment of incommensurate performance measures of weight, cost, shape restriction, stiffness, and corrosion are made for steel and polymer composite alternatives. Fuzzy analysis readily accommodates design evaluation based on semantic assessment of relative attribute levels, although it can also employ information which is entirely numerical. In contrast, utility analysis requires considerable numerical quantification. For the example studied, the ordinal ranking of alternatives was the same for both methods. Recommendations include using fuzzy analysis in the earliest stages of preliminary design evaluation or in situations limited to semantic input from design decision makers. Utility analysis may be used in later stages of preliminary design, where numerical quantification of attribute levels is possible and when decision makers are able to assess the individual attribute utility functions in the standard way. The results of utility analysis can be used to quantify acceptable design tradeoffs between attribute levels and can be used in later stages of the iterative design process.

scholarly journals The Multi-Role Support Ship for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Buxton ◽  
Wade Carson
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Unique Combination ◽  
Operational Flexibility ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Ship Owner ◽  
Maritime Operations ◽  
Relief Operations

The paper examines the contemporary multi-role platform as an increasingly sought-after national capability and discusses how this ship-type, if designed and outfitted appropriately, can provide a range of capabilities to address the constantly evolving nature of naval doctrine and maritime operations. The motivations that drive acquisition decision makers to consider this type of capability are examined, namely: operational flexibility, doctrinal relevance and affordability. An examination of the pitfalls of acquiring a multi-role platform is also presented and discussed. An overview of how modern design techniques can be applied to ensure the ship owner is provided a range of options that are easily tailored to their unique combination of requirements follows. The paper concludes by presenting a typical modern multi-role vessel within the context of a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief scenario to illustrate the utility of these vessels as an effective response capability in a non-combatant role.

Next-generation infrastructure for public protection and disaster relief organizations

SPIE Newsroom ◽  
2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilmuth Müller ◽  
Hugo Marques ◽  
Jonathan Rodriguez ◽  
Bert Bouwers
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Relief Organizations

Decision support framework for location selection and disaster relief network design

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 222-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Timperio ◽  
Gajanan Bhanudas Panchal ◽  
Avinash Samvedi ◽  
Mark Goh ◽  
Robert De Souza
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Network Design ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Use Case ◽  
Distribution Centers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Decision Support Framework

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a decision support framework for locations identification to address network design in the domain of disaster relief supply chains. The solution approach is then applied to a real-life case about Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach An approach integrating geographic information system technology and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process has been used. Findings For the Indonesian case, distribution centers should be located in Pekanbaru, Surabaya, Banjarmasin, Ambon, Timika, and Manado. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of this work is that facilities being sited are incapacitated. Inclusion of constraints over capacity would elevate the framework to a further level of sophistication, enabling virtual pool of inventory that can be used to adsorb fluctuation in the demand due to disasters. Practical implications The use case provided in this paper shows a practical example of applicability for the proposed framework. This study is able to support worldwide decision makers facing challenges related with disaster relief chains resilience. In order to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in relief operations, strategic logistics planning in preparedness is key. Hence, initiatives in disaster preparedness should be enhanced. Originality/value It adds value to the previous literature on humanitarian logistics by providing a real-life case study as use case for the proposed methodology. It can guide decision makers in designing resilient humanitarian response, worldwide. Moreover, a combination of recommendations from humanitarian logistics practitioners with established models in facility location sciences provides an interdisciplinary solution to this complex exercise.

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