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.

Logistics service providers’ engagement in disaster relief initiatives

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 269-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Cozzolino ◽  
Ewa Wankowicz ◽  
Enrico Massaroni
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Logistics Service Providers ◽  
Logistics Services ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the contribution of logistics service providers’ (LSPs) initiatives to disaster relief and how LSPs are engaged with humanitarian sector. In recent years, the importance of logistics services in disaster relief operations and the capacity of LSPs to improve humanitarian supply chain management have become an increasingly interesting topic for both professionals and academics. Design/methodology/approach This research follows a qualitative approach based on multiple case studies. Findings The current research, after considering the differences and similarities among collaboration, cooperation and coordination and underlining how crucial these mechanisms are in the humanitarian context, explains the contribution of LSPs to relief operations alongside humanitarians. Research limitations/implications There has been increased interest in humanitarian logistics on the part of international academic and professional communities. This study constitutes a first exploratory step in the research to build a platform for benchmarking analysis of logistics services that aims to ensure the effective implementation of social responsibility principles. Practical implications The managerial implications arising from the research offer a range of current responsible actions from which strategic and operative directions to contribute can be derived. Originality/value Humanitarian logistics represents a crucial field in logistics management. This paper addresses the innovative socially responsible initiatives undertaken by the main international LSPs in the area of humanitarian logistics.

Using containers as storage facilities in humanitarian logistics

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayşenur Şahin ◽  
Mustafa Alp Ertem ◽  
Emel Emür
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Earthquake Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Security Planning ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
Real Earthquake ◽  
Storage Facilities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of freight containers to store relief items instead of operating a permanent warehouse building. Design/methodology/approach – A mathematical model is developed to determine the location and quantity of containers as well as the type and amount of relief supplies to store in order to investigate the practicality of using freight containers for storage. The model is tested using earthquake risk data, estimates of population under risk, and the distances between cities. An experimental study is performed using Turkish Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (abbreviated as AFAD in Turkish) data for total number of relief supplies. Findings – Considering the earthquake risk of possible locations, the results of the study indicate the target locations for containers. The idea of using containers as storage facilities helped beneficiaries to be reached within a short distance and in an efficient way. Research limitations/implications – The presented model is not implemented in real life disaster relief operations even if it is tested with real earthquake risk, demand and distance data. Practical implications – To apply this model in practice, the container locations within cities should be determined and managerial operations such as maintenance, environmental, and security planning have to be considered. Originality/value – This study presents the first analysis of three sub-topics’ intersection: warehousing, pre-positioning in disaster relief, and containerization. To the best of authors’ knowledge, containers have not been considered for storage of relief items in humanitarian logistics before.

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.

The role of organizational culture and voluntariness in the adoption of artificial intelligence for disaster relief operations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Behl ◽  
Meena Chavan ◽  
Kokil Jain ◽  
Isha Sharma ◽  
Vijay Edward Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Behavioral Intentions ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
National Level ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Relief Operations

PurposeThe study explores the readiness of government agencies to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the efficiency of disaster relief operations (DRO). For understanding the behavior of state-level and national-level government agencies involved in DRO, this study grounds its theoretical arguments on the civic voluntarism model (CVM) and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT).Design/methodology/approachWe collected the primary data for this study from government agencies involved in DRO in India. To test the proposed theoretical model, we administered an online survey questionnaire to 184 government agency employees. To test the hypotheses, we employed partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsOur findings confirm that resources (time, money and skills) significantly influence the behavioral intentions related to the adoption of AI tools for DRO. Additionally, we identified that the behavioral intentions positively translate into the actual adoption of AI tools.Research limitations/implicationsOur study provides a unique viewpoint suited to understand the context of the adoption of AI in a governmental context. Companies often strive to invest in state-of-the-art technologies, but it is important to understand how government bodies involved in DRO strategize to adopt AI to improve efficiency.Originality/valueOur study offers a fresh perspective in understanding how the organizational culture and perspectives of government officials influence their inclinations to adopt AI for DRO. Additionally, it offers a multidimensional perspective by integrating the theoretical frameworks of CVM and UTAUT for a greater understanding of the adoption and deployment of AI tools with organizational culture and voluntariness as critical moderators.

Operation RUMAN: Role 2 Afloat delivering Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations in the Caribbean

2018 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-164
Author(s):  
J J Matthews
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Humanitarian Aid ◽  
Affected Area ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
The Military ◽  
Maritime Environment ◽  
Extensive Damage

AbstractIn the autumn of 2017, two Category 5 hurricanes caused extensive damage in the Caribbean. This resulted in the activation of two Role 2 Afloat (R2A) teams in support of Operation RUMAN, the military response to provide Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) to the affected area. This paper documents the deployment of the R2A capability during Op RUMAN and outlines the main lessons identified in the delivery of HADR in the maritime environment.

scholarly journals Challenges in disaster relief operations: evidence from the 2017 Kermanshah earthquake

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Maghsoudi ◽  
Mohammad Moshtari
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Modelling Studies ◽  
Multiple Challenges ◽  
Relief Operations

PurposeThis paper identifies the challenges during a recent disaster relief operation in a developing country where the humanitarian response is dominated by national actors, with international actors having a minor role.Design/methodology/approachA case study design is used; the main data sources are semi-structured interviews with 43 informants involved in the 2017 Kermanshah earthquake relief operation.FindingsThe findings suggest that humanitarian practitioners deal with multiple challenges during disaster relief operations. One group of challenges relates to humanitarian logistics (HL) like needs assessment, procurement, warehousing, transportation and distribution, all widely discussed in the literature. Another involves the growing use of social media, legitimacy regulations and the engagement of new humanitarian actors (HAs) like social media activists and celebrities. These factors have not been extensively studied in the literature; given their growing influence, they require more scholarly attention.Practical implicationsThe findings will help humanitarian practitioners and policymakers better understand the challenges involved in disaster relief operations conducted by multiple actors and thus help them improve their practices, including the creation of proper regulations, policies and logistics strategies.Originality/valueThe study uses primary data on a recent disaster to assess and extend the findings of previous studies regarding HL challenges. It also elaborates on the critical non-logistical challenges that influence aid delivery in emergency responses, including the growth of social media, regulations and the engagement of new HAs. The results may motivate future empirical and modelling studies to investigate the identified challenges and identify practices to mitigate them.

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