Researchers develop cooperation models that will function in concrete crisis situations

During the course of 2010 the world has been hit by a large number of major natural disasters. "Research on logistics can help to alleviate the suffering in the wake of such disasters," says Norwegian researcher Marianne Jahre.  

"Relief efforts are about much more than building roads and transporting food to disaster victims. They also involve such factors as deciding where to pre-position stocks of relief items, where to procure supplies, and ensuring that the entire operation is as cost-effective as possible. Research can play a part in the development of better systems and models that improve the efficiency of relief operations," states Professor Jahre.

Networking crucial

In the project Humanitarian Logistics Networks (HUMLOG-NET) Professor Jahre and her partners are working on developing effective models and solutions for collaboration and task sharing when responding to various types of disasters. One of the aims is to strengthen cooperation between relief organisations and logisticians from academia and the commercial sector.

Lessons from Haiti
"The earthquake in Haiti in January 2010 demonstrated how difficult it can be to deliver vital emergency relief. All the major relief agencies flocked to the island. Emergency supplies were to be distributed amidst a chaos of destroyed roads and dead, wounded and fleeing people. Petrol, water and shelter were in short supply. Banks were closed and communication systems down." 

"Although large amounts of money, people, relief supplies and soldiers were pouring into the country, the lack of systems and planning made it difficult to get the relief to those who needed it," explains Professor Jahre. "Rapid and effective mobilisation requires that systems and plans are in place before a disaster occurs," she adds.

"We are seeing that task sharing and patterns of cooperation between the various actors involved have to be developed during periods of normality, if emergency relief efforts are to be effective when the disaster strikes," she emphasises.

First-hand knowledge
"Studying relief operations at close hand is no easy task and it is difficult to gain access to the crisis-hit areas while relief operations are ongoing. At the same time this first-hand knowledge of the on-the-ground situation is essential to ensure the quality of the research," says Professor Jahre.

"I, personally, am an international delegate at a Red Cross field hospital, both because it enables me to make a practical contribution and because it benefits our research efforts. This work allows me to witness conditions in specific disaster situations. Such experience enhances the research and helps to ensure a higher degree of credibility when the results are to be used for training in vulnerable areas," states Professor Jahre.

New research field
Since the tsunami in South-East Asia in 2004 emergency relief logistics has become an increasingly established research field.

In the aftermath of the tsunami, it became evident that some of the relief efforts there had been hampered by logistical breakdowns. This has led to more attention being focused on how relief efforts are organised.

"Aid workers have started calling for research results that can be used to improve relief efforts," Jahre explains and emphasises the importance of close cooperation between researchers and practitioners to identify relevant problems and develop effective solutions.

From research to practice

In the HUMLOG-NET project researchers, relief organisations and the business sector are working closely together to develop effective cooperation models that will function in concrete crisis situations.

"But the ultimate aim, of course, is to improve the lives of all those affected by disasters every year and who thus become dependent on emergency relief," Professor Jahre stresses.