Humanitarian logistics is a young science and complex discipline compared to business logistics because not only are actors in that arena compelled to work with outmost speed in interrupted environments having undetermined demand, they are also forced to work closely with other unknown players. Even more complex are civil-military relations because as studies show, the differences between these two humanitarian actors run deep to include contrasting missions, humanitarian principles, organizational and cultural differences. The purpose of this work is to examine civil-military relations during the preparedness and response phases of humanitarian crises. We developed a frame of reference, set forth some operational and theoretical definitions, examined overlapping supply chains, modeled organizational structures and coordination mechanisms, established civil-military cooperation framework, disaster cycle studies and proposed a working model. Our methodology included primary data collection through an empirical study of two NGOs and the military force through a series of interviews. Data culled was then analyzed in conjunction with the models and literature outlined in the frame of reference. Based on our analysis, a number of observations were made in the conclusion. To begin with a number of strategies are employed during the preparedness and response phase where speed and agility are crucial. Also, overlapping roles between the military and NGOs have both positive and negative impact. Different organizational structures and funding outlay mean differences abound in how actors coordinate activities and share information. Cooperation, trust, information sharing and coordination are closely linked when finding a strategic fit among actors. In spite of the attempt at seeking a right formula for civil-military relations, it would be erroneous to ‘standardize’ relations as no two cases are ever the same.

Abstract The frequency of natural disasters and its negative consequences in terms of the number of people killed, property destroyed and negative environmental impacts caused in the affected communities constitute one of the basic foundations and motivations for the development and use of ICT and other means of preventing as well as responding to disasters in the world today. This is simply because disaster management constitutes an important part of any developmental framework. Unfortunately a majority of these natural disasters occur in developing countries where information flow is greatly hampered because the national actors in disasters lack the skills to use ICT to prepare for and to response to disasters in their communities. Current study aims at studying the use of ICT in disaster management in Cameroon-a less developing country south of the Sahara To achieve the aim of this study, a quantitative research approach was chosen. A total sample of 150 organisations was selected from a population of 285 organisations within Cameroon, that are directly or indirectly involved with disaster management or developmental issues of any nature. In total 150 questionnaires were administered to these selected national actors by mail, internet, telephone and self-administration and 85 of the organisations respondended to the questionnaire. After collecting and analysing the data, the authors came to the conclusions that; disasters occur in Cameroon on frequent bases causing lots of damages thus the need for ICT use in humanitarian logistics to move information and material. Results showed that national actors use the radio and local TV (CRTV) for disaster preparedness and the mobile phone for disaster response, while the internet and computer techonology, foreign TV, Fixed phone and fax had a very low usage rate or sometimes not used at all. The reason for low usage or no usage was due to problems encountered by national actors in an attempt of trying to use them. Against this background, the authors suggested a number of recommendations that could improve the degree of ICT usage. One of them was that the Cameroon government should partner with private sector firms to make ICT infrastructure available by investing more and improving on the telecommunication sector in the country. This will solve the problem of poor ICT infrastructure, poor radio and TV signals, limited internet connectivity accessibility and availability in Cameroon.

<p>Humanitarian logistics is a young science and complex discipline compared to business logistics because not only are actors in that arena compelled to work with outmost speed in <em>interrupted </em>environments having undetermined demand, they are also forced to work closely with other unknown players. Even more complex are civil-military relations because as studies show, the differences between these two humanitarian actors run deep to include contrasting missions, humanitarian principles, organizational and cultural differences.</p><p>The purpose of this work is to examine civil-military relations during the preparedness and response phases of humanitarian crises. We developed a frame of reference, set forth some operational and theoretical definitions, examined overlapping supply chains, modeled organizational structures and coordination mechanisms, established civil-military cooperation framework, disaster cycle studies and proposed a working model.</p><p>Our methodology included primary data collection through an empirical study of two NGOs and the military force through a series of interviews. Data culled was then analyzed in conjunction with the models and literature outlined in the frame of reference.</p><p>Based on our analysis, a number of observations were made in the conclusion. To begin with a number of strategies are employed during the preparedness and response phase where speed and agility are crucial. Also, overlapping roles between the military and NGOs have both positive and negative impact. Different organizational structures and funding outlay mean differences abound in how actors coordinate activities and share information. Cooperation, trust, information sharing and coordination are closely linked when finding a strategic fit among actors. In spite of the attempt at seeking a right formula for civil-military relations, it would be erroneous to ‘standardize’ relations as no two cases are ever the same.</p>

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>The frequency of natural disasters and its negative consequences in terms of the number of people killed, property destroyed and negative environmental impacts caused in the affected communities constitute one of the basic foundations and motivations for the development and use of ICT and other means of preventing as well as responding to disasters in the world today. This is simply because disaster management constitutes an important part of any developmental framework. Unfortunately a majority of these natural disasters occur in developing countries where information flow is greatly hampered because the national actors in disasters lack the skills to use ICT to prepare for and to response to disasters in their communities. Current study aims at studying the use of ICT in disaster management in Cameroon-a less developing country south of the Sahara</p><p>To achieve the aim of this study, a quantitative research approach was chosen. A total sample of 150 organisations was selected from a population of 285 organisations within Cameroon, that are directly or indirectly involved with disaster management or developmental issues of any nature. In total 150 questionnaires were administered to these selected national actors by mail, internet, telephone and self-administration and 85 of the organisations respondended to the questionnaire.</p><p>After collecting and analysing the data, the authors came to the conclusions that; disasters occur in Cameroon on frequent bases causing lots of damages thus the need for ICT use in humanitarian logistics to move information and material. Results showed that national actors use the radio and local TV (CRTV) for disaster preparedness and the mobile phone for disaster response, while the internet and computer techonology, foreign TV, Fixed phone and fax had a very low usage rate or sometimes not used at all. The reason for low usage or no usage was due to problems encountered by national actors in an attempt of trying to use them. Against this background, the authors suggested a number of recommendations that could improve the degree of ICT usage. One of them was that the Cameroon government should partner with private sector firms to make ICT infrastructure available by investing more and improving on the telecommunication sector in the country. This will solve the problem of poor ICT infrastructure, poor radio and TV signals, limited internet connectivity accessibility and availability in Cameroon.<strong></strong></p>

Background Developing, emerging and developed countries are vulnerable to disasters and might require external assistance to cope with their aftermaths. It is forecasted that disasters will increase five-fold over the next 50 years. In an environment, which is characterized by many uncertainties, humanitarian supply chains are created to provide disaster relief in a highly complex and dynamic setting. This environment is unique for every disaster, where infrastructure, government, physical, socio-economic and security situational factors can either facilitate or restrict humanitarian operations. Agile supply chain principles enable humanitarian organizations to quickly respond to disasters. Purpose The purpose of this thesis is to explore and analyze the impact of external situational factors on the agility of humanitarian supply chains and humanitarian organizations’ actions taken to address those external situational factors during the immediate response phase of an emergency event. Methodology For the purpose of this study a combination of an inductive and deductive research approach was applied. The study was of exploratory and qualitative nature with a single case study in its focus. Empirical data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews with nine respondents involved in the disaster relief operations of Haiti Earthquake 2010. Empirical findings were analyzed by using the template analysis. Conclusion External situational factors have a strong impact on capabilities enabling humanitarian supply chains to be agile during the immediate response phase. Humanitarian organizations are able to reduce the negative impact of external situational factors while in other cases the negative impact of external situational factors is further intensified by actions taken by humanitarian organizations. Furthermore, humanitarian organizations are able to utilize and enhance some of the positive impacts of external situational factors. However, the initially positive impact of some external situational factors may be reduced by inappropriate actions taken by humanitarian organizations. Therefore, understanding the context of the disaster’s broader environment is a prerequisite to an effective emergency response.

Une catastrophe naturelle, ou d'origine humaine, implique la mise en œuvre très rapide de chaînes logistiques éphémères. Les organisations humanitaires doivent intervenir de manière efficace, au bon moment et de façon cohérente, en évaluant les besoins prioritaires et en évitant les chevauchements et le gaspillage des moyens mobilisés, parfois à grand renfort d'appel à la générosité publique. La logistique d'entreprise et la logistique humanitaire ont plus d´éléments en commun que l´on n´a l'habitude de l'imaginer. Faire preuve de réactivité avec des coûts contrôlés (puisque les ressources financières des donateurs ne sont pas inépuisables) est l'affaire autant des organisations aidant les populations civiles que des fabricants ou des grands groupes industriels impliqués dans une guerre compétitive impitoyable, même si « les armes » utilisées restent évidemment spécifiques. Depuis ces quinze dernières années, la fréquence et l'ampleur des désastres d'une part, et les exigences des donateurs quant à l'usage des fonds et aux résultats des interventions d'autre part, ont incité le secteur humanitaire à évoluer vers plus de professionnalisation. En parallèle, le monde académique a montré, surtout depuis le séisme en Asie du Sud-est en 2004, un intérêt croissant pour la logistique humanitaire, ceci se manifestant par un nombre de plus en plus élevé d'articles sur le sujet dans les revues scientifiques. L'administration des Chaînes Logistiques Multi-Acteurs (CLMA) contribue directement à la performance des actions des organisations humanitaires. / The purpose of this investigation is to underline the advantages offered by applying the collective strategy model in the context of humanitarian logistics, enriching the existing benefits that operations management and business logistics techniques have brought to the field. In both man-made and natural disaster relief, humanitarian logistics operations have been hampered by a lack of coordination between actors, which directly affects performance in terms of reactivity and reliability. Adapted collective strategies could offer a solution to this problem. A literature review deals with the issue of humanitarian logistics through an operational dimension, followed by a strategic approach. This is rounded out with a case study dealing with the Pisco earthquake in Peru (August 2007), which is based on a participant observation methodological approach.The research presented revealed that a collective action approach had a positive impact on the working of humanitarian supply chains, as long as a “hub” was used to provide accountability and reliability. If a technical approach, particularly in matters of operations management (optimization of transportation, location of regional warehouses, etc.) is essential to better manage humanitarian logistics, it must also be in the service of a collective strategy, notably in the pre-positioning of supplies and the coordination of relief efforts. The case study provides several ideas for improving operation coordination, particularly through direct “symbiotic partnerships” in vertical relations and direct “commensalistic partnerships” in horizontal relations.

[pt] A logística humanitária (LH) pode ser definida como um processo de planejamento, implementação e controle da eficácia, fluxo eficiente de custos, armazenagem e movimentação de equipamentos e materiais, assim como informações, com o propósito de atender às necessidades das pessoas afetadas por desastres naturais (tsunamis, terremotos) ou gerados pelo homem (desabamentos, explosões). A importância deste tema recai sobre o número significativo de desastres registrados ao longo das últimas décadas, pelo volume financeiro transacionado e pelo fator comoção humana . Neste contexto, observa-se a necessidade de criação de um sistema centralizado que possa ser utilizado por diferentes entidades com o objetivo de evitar desperdício ou escassez de material, permitir uma visão global das necessidades de múltiplos desastres e possibilitar uma melhor comunicação em relação à situação real dos desastres. Esta dissertação, portanto, tem como objetivo principal propor um framework para um sistema de gerenciamento de resposta a desastres baseado em três evidências: revisão da literatura, utilização de software de gestão de desastres e entrevistas com especialistas. Adicionalmente, o estudo buscou hierarquizar, através de um modelo multicritério de decisão, as funcionalidades mais importantes, para que estas possam ser priorizadas em um possível desenvolvimento do sistema de gestão de desastres ou durante a fase operacional dos mesmos. Conclui-se que atualmente não existe uma ferramenta completa com todas as funcionalidades apresentadas e, portanto, o framework proposto pode ser considerado de grande utilidade caso venha a ser desenvolvido. / [en] Humanitarian logistics (HL) can be defined as a process of planning, implementation and effectiveness control, efficient flow of costs, storage and handling of equipment and materials, as well as information in order to meet the needs of people affected by natural (tsunamis, earthquakes) or man-made (landslides, explosions) disasters. The importance of this issue lies with the significant number of disasters reported over the past decades, the financial volume traded, and due human emotion factor. In this context, there is a need for a centralized system that can be used by different entities in order to avoid waste or material shortages, providing a global view of multiple disasters needs, and enabling a better communication about the real situation of the disaster. This study aims to propose a conceptual disaster response management system based on three evidences: literature review, disaster management software usage, and expert interviews. In addition, the study sought to prioritize, through a multicriteria decision model, the most important features, so they can be prioritized on a possible development of the disaster management system or during its operational phase. It is concluded that currently there is no tool with all needed features presented herein and therefore the proposed framework, once implemented, can be considered very useful for a better humanitarian aid.

[pt] Essa dissertação teve como objetivo propor uma metodologia para a definição de estratégias de compra de itens de ajuda humanitária baseada no modelo de gestão de portfólio de Kraljic (1983) e com apoio do método multicritério de decisão AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) simplificado, incluindo duas fases: a definição de uma matriz de compras humanitária e de estratégias de compra no caso da CEDEC-SP. Para definir a matriz de compras humanitária, foram propostos critérios para definir Importância da Compra e Complexidade do Mercado Fornecedor no caso humanitário, com base na Revisão Bibliográfica, sendo, em seguida, validados junto a um conjunto de especialistas de logística humanitária através de um questionário elaborado e enviado para os mesmos. Com os resultados obtidos, a matriz de compras humanitária foi definida de acordo com as dimensões Importância da Compra, conforme critérios relacionados ao grau de criticidade do item para a prestação de ajuda humanitária e ao impacto financeiro, e Complexidade do Mercado Fornecedor, conforme critérios relacionados ao risco de suprimento de itens de ajuda humanitária, utilizando as mesmas categorias e estratégias recomendadas pelo modelo de Kraljic (1983). Para definir as estratégias de compra no caso da CEDEC-SP, foi aplicada a matriz proposta, ponderando os critérios relacionados a Importância da Compra e Complexidade do Mercado Fornecedor no caso humanitário através do AHP simplificado, e, em seguida, posicionando uma amostra de itens de ajuda humanitária comprados pela CEDEC-SP na matriz, através do método de pontuação ponderada. Com isso, foram propostas algumas recomendações para adaptar as estratégias indicadas pela matriz à realidade atual da CEDEC-SP, considerando as limitações de licitação impostas à mesma pela lei n. 8666/1993. / [en] This dissertation aimed to propose a methodology for the development of purchasing strategies for relief items based on Kraljic (1983) purchasing portfolio matrix and with the support of multi-criteria decision making method AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) simplified, including two stages: the definition of a humanitarian purchasing matrix and purchasing strategies for the case of CEDEC-SP. To set the humanitarian purchasing matrix, criteria were proposed to define Importance of Purchasing and Complexity of Supply Market in the humanitarian case, based on the literature review, being then validated by a set of humanitarian logistics specialists through a questionnaire elaborated and sent to the same. With the results obtained, the humanitarian purchasing matrix was defined according to the dimensions Importance of Purchasing, according to criteria related to the degree of criticality of the item for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the financial impact and Complexity of Supply Market, according to criteria related to supply risk of relief items, using the same categories and strategies recommended by Kraljic (1983). For the definition of purchasing strategies in the case of CEDEC-SP, was applied the humanitarian purchasing matrix, weighting the criteria related to Importance of Purchasing and Complexity of Supply Market in the humanitarian case through simplified AHP and then positioning a sample of relief items in the matrix through the weighted factor score method. With this, a comparison was made between the strategies indicated by the matrix and the strategy adopted by the CEDEC-SP, being proposed some modifications in order to adapt the recommendations established by the matrix, respecting the limitations imposed on CEDEC-SP by the competitive bidding law No. 8666/1993.

O número de desastres vem aumentando a cada ano e a quantidade de pessoas afetadas por estes é cada vez maior. A convergência de materiais, que é o afluxo de grande quantidade de material ao local do desastre, é observada em muitos eventos e tem grande impacto sobre operações humanitárias; em especial, nos processos de logística humanitária, como transporte, processamento e distribuição de itens necessários no auxílio às vítimas. Devido a diversos efeitos negativos da convergência - por exemplo, o emprego de recursos humanos em tarefas não essenciais e a maior demora para distribuição de material prioritário -, é necessário estudar os fatores que a influenciam e, também, como suas consequências afetam o sistema em que se insere. Desta forma, utilizou-se o método de dinâmica de sistemas para desenvolver um modelo que permita, pela análise de diversos cenários, alcançar uma melhor compreensão sobre o fenômeno. O modelo, além de permitir testar políticas abordadas na literatura, também proporciona uma simulação para o preparo em desastres reais e, no âmbito acadêmico, é o primeiro modelo de convergência de materiais a integrar tanto variáveis quantitativas quanto qualitativas e propiciar uma análise de forma dinâmica no tempo. A partir do cenário base, o caso das inundações em São Luiz do Paraitinga em 2010, foram simulados 13 cenários com o objetivo de identificar quais políticas aumentariam a quantidade de material prioritário distribuído para suprir as necessidades das vítimas. No cenário base foram encontrados gargalos no transporte e na distribuição de materiais e a análise de sensibilidade ficou restrita a uma política, limitando a generalização do trabalho. Na implementação de políticas uma a uma, observa-se que a não admissão de material não prioritário atinge os melhores resultados, seguida pela política de realocação de recursos humanos para processamento de material prioritário. Já no caso de políticas mistas, o controle de admissão com uma maior disponibilidade de recursos é o cenário que mais se sobressai no auxílio às vítimas. / The number of disasters is increasing each year and the amount of people affected by them is also getting bigger. Material convergence, which is the influx of large amounts of material to the disaster site, is observed in many events and has a large impact on humanitarian operations; in particular in humanitarian logistics processes, such as transportation, processing and distribution of necessary items to assist victims. Due to various negative effects of the convergence - for example, the use of human resources in non-core tasks and the longer delay for priority material distribution - it is necessary to study the factors that influence it and how its consequences affect the system. In this way, the method of system dynamics was used to develop a model that allows, through the analysis of several scenarios, to reach a better understanding about the phenomenon. The model, besides allowing to test policies approached in the literature, also provides a simulation for the preparation in real disasters and, in the academic scope, it is the first model of material convergence to integrate both quantitative and qualitative variables and to provide a dynamic analysis. Based on the baseline scenario, the case of the floods in São Luiz do Paraitinga in 2010, 13 scenarios were simulated to identify which policies would increase the amount of priority material distributed to meet the needs of the victims. Analyzing the base scenario there were found bottlenecks both in the transportation and the distribution of material and, as the sensitivity analysis was restricted to only one policy, the generalization of the presented work has been limited. In implementing policies one by one, it is observed that the non-admission of non-priority material achieves the best results, followed by the policy of reallocating human resources to processing priority material. In the case of mixed policies, admission control with greater availability of resources is the most prominent scenario in assisting victims.

Desastres são eventos complexos que exigem esforços de múltiplos atores para assistirem suas vítimas em tempo hábil a minimizar as perdas de vidas e os custos sociais e materiais da região afetada. Esta dependência de ação entre diferentes atores cria entre eles uma relação de interdependência no que tange o sucesso da operação de resposta. Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o problema da coordenação das atividades logísticas em uma operação humanitária utilizando Dinâmica de Sistemas como ferramenta de simulação e análise para verificar como os incentivos e impedimentos à coordenação interagem dinamicamente no ambiente humanitário e como sua estrutura de causa e efeito resulta em comportamentos com impactos e intensidades diferentes daqueles desejados pelos atores envolvidos. Assim, o objetivo específico deste trabalho é desenvolver um modelo de simulação que auxilie na compreensão do problema além de utilizá-lo para sugerir ferramentas que favoreçam o direcionamento do comportamento do sistema às metas de efetividade da ajuda humanitária exigidas pelos múltiplos atores envolvidos nesta. O desenvolvimento do trabalho segue uma estrutura multidisciplinar, buscando o necessário rigor do entendimento do problema tanto na análise da literatura quanto na formulação do modelo e sua utilização. / Disasters are complex events which require efforts from multiple actors to assist their victims on a timely manner to minimize life losses and social cost at the affected region. This action dependence between different actors rise an interdependence relation among them related to the response operation success. This work aims to analyse the problem of coordination of logistics activities in a humanitarian operation using System Dynamics as a simulation and analysis tool in order to verify how the drives and impediments to coordination dynamically interact in a humanitarian context and how its structure of cause and effect results in behaviors with different impact and intensity from those desired by involved actors. Therefore, the specific goal of this work is to develop a simulation model that support the problem understanding and apply it to suggest tools with potential to drive the system behavior towards the effectiveness goals required by the multiple actors in this environment. The development follows a cross-sectorial structure, willing to apply the necessary comprehension of the problem both in the literature review and in the model formulation and application.