Logistics of Disaster Relief

What logistical problems can arise from natural disasters and how can they be overcome?

Trabajo de Seminario , 2007 , 20 Páginas , Calificación: 2,0

Economía de las empresas - Aprovisionamiento, producción, logística

In regard to the text book “International Logistics” I have chosen the chapter “Logistics and famine relief” asking myself the question:
“What logistical problems can arise from natural disasters and how can they be overcome?”
Based on the Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, which has destroyed an entire landscape killing thousands of people and making even more homeless, I have developed my paper by introducing the different modes of transport that exist to support the logistics network in terms of disaster relief: plane, boat, rail, road, helicopters, rescue boats (hovercrafts, canoes and small boats).
Pointing out the disadvantages and advantages of each mode I came to the conclusion that each of them serves special needs in certain situations so that all of them can be regarded as equal in their function.
Concerning financial factors, however, the appropriability differs: shipment is more expensive than rail transport, for example.
I also found out in which way the modes of transport can reach best the affected areas and how the distribution is organized.
Based on this theoretical framework, I have switched to the question how the needs of people change after a natural disaster such as Katrina in the short and the long term. To put it in a nutshell, people long for basic provisions such as food and water in the short term but start to demand for luxury goods such as electricity again in the long term.
Last but not least I have focused in my analysis on special issues that are affected (interrupted, destroyed, etc.) by natural disasters: re-routing, supply chain and warehousing.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Theory
  • Different Modes of Transport
    • Air Transport
      • Air Planes
      • Helicopters
    • Boats
    • Railways
    • Roads
    • Rescue Boats: hovercrafts, canoes, small boats
  • Reasons why Relief Logistics are Delayed
• Analysis
  • How the needs of people change
  • Re-routing
  • Supply chain
  • Warehousing
  • Time Relapse
  • Adaptation
• Results
• Conclusion
• References

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper explores the logistical challenges posed by natural disasters, specifically focusing on the case of Hurricane Katrina. The study examines the various modes of transport used in disaster relief, their strengths and weaknesses, and how these modes are best utilized to reach affected areas. It also investigates how the needs of people change in the short and long term after a disaster, and how logistical factors such as re-routing, supply chain, and warehousing are affected.

• The role of logistics in disaster relief
• The effectiveness of different modes of transport in disaster situations
• The evolving needs of disaster victims in the short and long term
• The impact of natural disasters on logistical systems, such as re-routing, supply chain, and warehousing
• Lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina regarding disaster preparedness and response

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction sets the context for the paper by highlighting the importance of logistics in both daily life and emergency situations, using Hurricane Katrina as a case study. The literature review provides an overview of the sources used in the paper, with specific focus on their relevance to disaster relief logistics. The theory section delves into the different modes of transport commonly employed in disaster relief, analyzing their advantages and disadvantages in various scenarios. The analysis section examines how the needs of disaster victims change over time, focusing on the short and long-term impacts of Hurricane Katrina, as well as the effects on logistical systems such as re-routing, supply chain, and warehousing. The results section summarizes the findings of the study, while the conclusion draws overarching conclusions about the challenges and opportunities presented by disaster relief logistics.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This paper focuses on the key concepts of disaster relief logistics, exploring the effectiveness of different modes of transport, the evolving needs of disaster victims, the impact of natural disasters on logistical systems, and lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina. It examines key logistical challenges such as re-routing, supply chain disruptions, and warehousing limitations. The paper also highlights the importance of preparedness and adaptation in disaster relief logistics.

• Universidad: University of Örebro (Department of Business, Economics, Statistics & Informatics (ESI))
• Calificación: 2,0
• Autor: Rinke Kloppe (Autor)
• Año de publicación: 2007
• Páginas: 20
• No. de catálogo: V145246
• ISBN (Ebook): 9783640549351
• ISBN (Libro): 9783640550470
• Idioma: Inglés
• Etiqueta: Katrina, Logistics, natural disasters, Thema Logistik