On 3/8/17, Robert Rich III, President of ROAR Logistics presented to the Institute of Supply Chain Management in Buffalo on the topic of Logistics Preparedness and Socially Responsible Logistics. The talk highlighted considerations related to humanitarian logistics and highlighted his companies relief efforts with Operation: H2O in Flint, Michigan.
2. Logistics Preparedness
“Humanitarian Logistics”
• Logistics preparedness is a key component of any disaster
reduction effort. Time is of the essence.
• In disaster relief operations, logistics is often the biggest
hurdle. As much as 80 percent of disaster relief expenditures
go toward transporting, warehousing, and distributing goods
and services to affected communities. Sabine Friederike Schulz
• Planning is both necessary and practical, since it is generally
possible to foresee the types of disasters that may affect a
given location and the needs that such disasters will be likely to
engender.
• Logistics preparedness must be based on the vulnerability and
resource assessment.
International Federation of RedCross and Red CrescentSocieties
3. Logistics Preparedness
• The prioritization, transport planning, reception and
distribution of emergency supplies is a vital life-saving
coordination role.
• The logistics stock preparedness is essential in covering
the initial needs in the immediate aftermath of any
disaster.
International Federation of RedCross and Red CrescentSocieties
4. When Do Relief Efforts Mobilize?
• Natural Disaster
• Anthropogenic (Man Made) Disaster and Incidents
The difference between natural and man-made disasters is
the element of human intent or negligence that leads to
human suffering and environmental damage; many mirror
natural disasters, yet man has a direct hand in their
occurrence.
Disaster Survival Resources
6. The FiveWorst Natural Disasters
in the Last FifteenYears
• Earthquake in Haiti, 2010
• 200,000 casualties
• Tsunami in Sumatra, 2004
• 310,000 casualties
• Hurricane Katrina, 2005
• 1,833 casualties
• Earthquake in Pakistan, 2005
• 86,000 casualties
• Sichuan Earthquake in China, 2008
• 69,000 casualties
Sumatra, one day after Christmas in 2004
https://owlcation.com/stem/Worlds-worst-natural-disasters
11. Considerations for a
Disaster Relief Effort
• Varies not only by state, but by country.
• Often a difficult proposition due to the unique nature of
all disasters.
• Subject to regional laws and norms, bilateral treaties and
agreements, and national laws.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
12. Legal Considerations
• Human rights law
• International
humanitarian law
• Refugee and IDP law
• Privileges and immunities
law
• Customs law
• Transport law
• Telecommunications law
• Donor law
• Civil Defense and Military
Law
• Health law
• Environmental and
Industrial Accident Law
• Weapons Control Law
• Space Law
• Humanitarian Personnel
Security Law
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
13. Operations
• Scale and Scope
• Location of Occurrence:Ground Zero
• Situational Assessment
• “Roll Out” Plan
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
14. Coordination
• Coordination among domestic actors
• Coordination among international actors
• Coordination between international and domestic actors
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
15. Personnel
• Visas and work permits
• Recognition of professional qualifications
• Engagement of local personnel
• Engagement of local and national volunteers
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
16. Goods and Equipment
• Customs procedures for goods and equipment
• Import
• Re-export
• Transit
• Special issues
• Food
• Telecommunications and IT Equipment
• Vehicles
• Medications and medical equipment
• Rescue dogs
• Currency
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
17. Transportation and Movement
• Freedom of movement
• LandTransportation
• AirTransportation
• SeaTransportation
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
18. Involvement of Military
• Disaster may occur during conflict
• Domestic disaster relief by military actors
• International disaster relief by military actors
• Mixed situations of conflict and disaster
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
19. Quality and Accountability
• Adequacy, timeliness and equity of funding
• Appropriateness and accountability of assistance
• Impact on local capacity
• Suitability and competence
• Accountability
• Beneficiary involvement and complaints
• Anti-corruption and anti-terrorism
• Civil and criminal liability
• Accreditation
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
20. Socially Responsible Logistics.
What the heck does that mean?
• The Fortune Cookie: “ThoseWho Do Not Give Should Not
Take.”
• Organizational decisions, processes, and actions need to
explicitly consider societal objectives and values. (Paul. R. Murphy &
Richard F. Poist)
• In the broadest sense, socially responsible logistics is more
than moving freight, it is a companywide, industrywide, and
communitywide process of mobilizing resources to respond
to, and impact communities and/or people in crisis.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
21.
22. What Is ALAN?
The American LogisticsAid Network (ALAN) was founded by several professional
and trade associations who came together after Hurricane Katrina to help provide
humanitarian relief.Today, ALAN comprises hundreds of supply-chain businesses
who stand poised to respond in the event of disasters.We are experts in
transportation, warehousing, cold storage, and distribution, and we can help
locate and move goods from suppliers to affected communities rapidly and
efficiently.
ALAN works in tandem with NationalVoluntary OrganizationsActive in
Disaster (NVOADs)—including the American Red Cross, Feeding America and the
Salvation Army—as well as state and federal emergency agencies, including
FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
23. Comprehensive Solution
• ALAN solution to emergency relief brings together the
unique capabilities of business, voluntary organizations, and
relief agencies, forming strong partnerships between public,
private, and not-for-profit organizations.
• ALAN enables supply-chain providers to support disaster
relief in ways that highlight their strengths and engage their
business interests.
• By offering logistical expertise and services to humanitarian
organizations, ALAN enables them to focus on what they do
best: providing assistance to stricken communities.
• ALAN strategy for responding to emergencies increases the
capacity of relief agencies, saves money, and eliminates
duplication of effort and waste by matching expressed needs
with potential providers.
24. Targeted Relief and Aid
• ALAN’s web portal serves as a clearinghouse for essential supplies,
goods, and services during times of crisis.
• Relief organizations post urgent needs on the portal; ALAN companies view the
requests and respond to those that match their capabilities.
• ALAN network members have responded to requests for forklifts and pallet jacks to help with
tornado recovery; transported tool trailers to help communities rebuild in the wake of
devastating floods; and donated office and warehouse space to help theAmerican RedCross
prepare for hurricanes.
• Web portal promotes targeted donations.
• Instead of sending random goods and supplies that could overwhelm disaster recovery
efforts, ALAN businesses respond to specific requests for help from those on the
ground, channeling goods and services efficiently, providing support when and where it
is needed most.
29. April 16, 2013
In order to save money, Flint joins a new water authority to get
water from Lake Huron rather than Detroit. Later that month,
the city begins using water from the Flint River.
May 2014
Complaints about the water start coming in from local residents.
Oct. 1, 2015
State officials announce that a new analysis of their data shows
more children have lead in their blood since the water switch.
Jan. 5, 2016
Michigan Governor Snyder declares a state of emergency in
Flint.The Department of Justice opens an investigation into the
issue.
Jan. 16, 2016
President Barack Obama signs an emergency declaration and
orders federal aid for Flint.
Jan. 24, 2016
Operation H2O commences withTrue Bethel Baptist Church in
Buffalo, NY collecting water to distribute to the residents of
Flint Michigan.
Jan. 26, 2016
ROAR Logistics commits to haul water collected byTrue Bethel
BaptistChurch.
30. What we did
• Coordinated 13 truckloads (26,000 cases) of water to be delivered to the
residents of Flint, MI
• Water shipped from Buffalo, NY, Syracuse, NY, and Decatur, IL
• Worked with volunteers to load the water on the trucks safely
• Coordinated efforts in Flint, MI to distribute cases of water to the community
31. The Logistics of
Operation: H2O
Call for Help.
Community Outreach.
Media Appeal.
Daily coordination of
volunteers at the water
collection points
Palletization and shrink
wrapping of bottled
water, including
weight/cube calculations
Coordination with
carrier for loading,
pickup, tracking and
tracing and delivery of
relief
Coordination of
mobilizing volunteers to
travel to Flint to help
with the distribution of
relief supplies.
Delivery, unloading, and
inventorying of relief
supplies
Reloading supplies onto
smaller vans for
community outreach
and distribution of
supplies
Researching and
coordinating drop points
in Flint to include low
income projects at
Ground Zero.
Disbursement of relief
supplies to community.
32.
33. Future Ideas for Government:
Initiation andTermination
• Ensure that disaster laws and policies include clear
processes and assignments of responsibility to expedite
relief mobilization.
• Consult with international actors prior to termination of
their programming to ensure a smooth transition of relief
to recovery and minimize any negative impacts on
disaster-affected persons.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
34. Future Ideas for Government:
Facilities for Entry
• Develop or strengthen mechanisms in national law for
providing expedited visas and work permits and customs
facilities.
• Review in particular, regulations on the importation relief
supplies reduce unnecessary barriers in disaster relief and
recovery operations.
• Ensure mechanisms are in place for expedited review and
recognition of the foreign qualifications of medical and
other professional relief personnel.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
35. Future Ideas for Government:
Facilities for Operations andTransport
• Develop or strengthen rules for freedom of movement of
disaster relief providers.
• Provide approved international disaster relief and
recovery actors with beneficial tax treatment.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
36. Future Ideas for Government
Considerations: Quality Measures
• Condition the provision and retention of legal facilities to
international humanitarian organizations adherence to
internationally recognized humanitarian standards.
• Insist upon the involvement of disaster-affected persons
in the planning, execution and evaluation of international
disaster relief and recovery operations.
• Cooperate in preventing and combating corruption in
international disaster relief and recovery assistance.
• Ensure that anti-corruption and anti-terrorism measures
do not unduly delay or hamper the delivery of
humanitarian assistance.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
37. Future Ideas for National Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies
• Provide expert advice to their governments about the
development and strengthening of national law related
to international disaster relief and initial recovery, making
use of the draft Guidelines.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
38. Future Ideas for International Disaster
Responders and International
Humanitarian Organizations
• Place appropriate emphasis on coordination with domestic authorities
and civil society.
• Deploy appropriate relief and supplies as needed.
• Only deploy competent and adequately trained personnel and engage
local personnel to the degree possible without undermining local
institutions.
• Ensure that measures are in place, either though external or self-
insurance, to adequately cover health, disability, and death claims for
their personnel as well as vehicle-related claims.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
39. • Improve enforcement of humanitarian and quality
standards, whether by international accreditation or
equivalently effective means.
• Ensure sufficient financial transparency - including to
beneficiaries - to guard against waste, misuse and
diversion of aid resources.
• Consult with domestic authorities prior to termination of
programming to ensure a smooth transition of relief to
recovery and minimize any negative impacts on disaster-
affected persons.
Future Ideas for International Disaster
Responders and International
Humanitarian Organizations
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
40. A FinalThought for All of Us….
“If I have the means, I have
the responsibility to employ them.”
― Terry Brooks, The Scions of Shannara
