“relief chain logistics in natural disasters”

Purvishkumar Patel Repaul Kanji Dr. Rajat Agarwal

IIT ROORKEE

“Relief Chain Logistics in Natural Disasters”

Glimpses from the Research papers…

‘‘Logistics is the part [of any disaster relief] that can mean the difference between a successful or failed operation.’’ Van Wassenhove (2006) p. 476

“As a result of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, logistics applied to disasters has received increasing interest from both researchers and practitioners.” Kovács et.al. (2007)

‘‘Disaster relief is about 80 % logistics & supply chain management.” Van Wassenhove (2006) p. 475

1. THE RIGHT ITEMS…▼

4. TO THE RIGHT END USERS…►

= LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT SUCCESS!

2. IN THE RIGHT QUANTITIES…◄

▲3. AT THE RIGHT TIME PRICE…

Disaster Management Cycle and Relevance of Humanitarian Logistics

Agility is usually defined as the ability to respond to unexpected changes (Sheffi 2005) when an unpredictable demand is combined with short lead times (Christopher2005).

Agility

Leanness usually refers to doing more and better with less when demand is relatively stable and predictable (Childerhouse and Towill 2000).

Leanness

The Agility and Leanness Principles

From Agility to Leanness in DM Cycle

Agile SCs

Lean SCs

So, what are the attributes of an ideal humanitarian relief chain

logistics??

So, what are the attributes of an ideal humanitarian relief chain

logistics??

AgilityResponsiveness

Flexibility Authenticity of demand: Amount & Location

Cross-sectional coordination

Spatial & Temporal Accuracy of Demand

Supplies in right quality & quantity

Prep Work1. Hazard Mapping / Hazard Zoning

“Along with the spatial parameters becomes an important input for relief chain logistics as and when required”

2. Resource Management“Contingency fund, relief aid etc; where to find and what to find and how much to find!”

3. Human Resources 1. Technologically sound personnel to handle signals, warnings, tracking etc.2. Rescue and relief workers (preferably local people)3. Medical practitioners.

Tools & Technology: GIS“..captures, stores, manipulates, analyzes, manages and presents all types of geographic data!”

Geography, Topography, Communication, Life-Line Service

1. Availability of data in Layers.

2. Modules to code necessary algorithms.

3. Escape Routes.4. Alternate Routes.5. Safe Houses.6. Closest Facility.

LEANN

ESS

GIS: Up & Close!1. Static (LEANNESS) / Dynamic (AGILITY) Hazard Zonation using

“Buffer” module.

2. Resource Management becomes easy when modules designed ad hoc according to some interesting algorithms (Pankaj et al, Disaster Recovery Planning – An Indian Touch) (RIGHT RESOURCE @ RIGHT PLACE)are implemented. RESPONSIVENESS increases many folds.

3. The simple formula of resource storage proposed ,amount = f[risk, demographic factors] can also be implemented using a module which would actually reduce the probability of error, hence improving agility.

“Census Block”

CRISIS MAPS: THE NEXT BIG THING

1. “creating customized map for specific application..”

2. Can be edited by authorized personnel or anyone with 3G

3. Edit and add information like impact point, distress points, no. of affected people, probable safe houses!

4. Decision taking becomes really easy!

!REAL TIME TRACKING!“Rescue operators, vehicles can be tracked for getting information about their current location, their velocity, whether they are moving on correct path, and their probable time of arrival and other relevant information for managing relief chains can be obtained.”

-> GPS Based Live Tracking

-> Handset Based Tracking

-> Network Based Tracking

-> Hybrid Tracking AgilityLeanness

The 1st Decision

The nth decision

GPS Based Tracking

Network Based Tracking

“Availability of both spatial and temporal data with the help of GPS, makes it extremely easy to integrate it with digital maps and/or GIS systems. Padmanabhan, (2001).“

1. Exact location: Latitude & Longitude2. Time, Velocity3. Tracking path, ETA etc.

“utilize the service provider's network infrastructure to identify the location of the handset.”

1. Accuracy varies with the method used, yet a good way of tracking!

2. Accuracy “depends upon the concentration of base station cells with urban environment..”

Handset Based Tracking

Hybrid Tracking

“installation of client software on the handset to determine its location”1. Cell identification + signal strength of

cells = Location.

2. Android, Symbian, Windows, iOS are the handsets to look for.

“combination of network-based and handset-based technologies for location determination. “Peuhkuri, (2002).

1. Assisted GPS: GPS triangulates the location and then sends it over UMTS network.

2. Google Latitude is a very common example.

3. Can be easily implemented through CSR!

Estimation & Correction1. Top Down Evaluation!

2. Stringent but also lenient!

3. Resource Management – Was everything done the right way?4. What went wrong? How could it have been averted?

Conclusion – Let’s face it!“logical write-up, good for nothing illustration which can not be implemented”?

India requires IMPLEMENTATION! It has to start, NOW!Policies and Acts are for bureaucrats, these are for those in the field ->Techno-bureaucrats!

WHY LIVE IN A JAR OF DOUBT?

GO AHEAD!ASK!