Humanitarian Research Group Disaster Preparedness

Abstract

Supporting humanitarian operations through the life cycle of a disaster can be divided into three stages along a generic time line: preparedness efforts before the disaster strikes, response immediately after the disaster strikes, and recovery in the post-disaster period. The first period is strategic: the disaster has not occurred but the prepositioning of assets and infrastructure preparations take place in anticipation of a disaster. Prepositioning of assets may include the expansion of warehouses, medical facilities, and temporary shelters, while infrastructure preparation may include provision of airstrips and ramp space at the airfields. Agility and adaptability which are vital characteristics of the humanitarian supply chain cannot be supported without being prepared or pre-positioned for adequate capacity and resources. Facility location of the warehouses for resources plays an important role in this strategic pre-establishment. History of recent disasters, especially natural disasters such as, Hurricane Katrina in the United States, tsunami in the Indian Ocean, typhoons in Bangladesh, tsunami and earthquake in Japan, tornadoes in the United States beg the questions: What assets need to be in place in anticipation of a disaster? And, where should they be located?