Logistics In Catastrophe & Conflict

Question 1

What is the role of medical aid international?

Answer 1

• They specialise in providing the right equip,ent for low to middle income countries
• They provide healthcare support for small and large organisations
• From a consultancy stage through procurement, logistics, installation, training and after-care

Question 2

What are the overall goals of medical aid international?

Answer 2

• Ensure all equipment supplied is suitable requiring minimum maintenance
• Encourage and assist partners to be as self sufficient as possible with general maintenance and repairs through long term relationships and support
• Educate Engineers and Estates teams, through courses, to an acceptable level to encourage confidence and ability

Question 3

How do we get aid from a developed country to a country hit by a catastrophe?

Answer 3

• Research everything , ASK questions
• Ensure the equipment / supplies being sent are what is needed
• If sending pharmaceuticals they must be in date with at least 12 months left, heavily legislated area
• Pack well and wisely, bear in mind air freight is calculated on a weight / volume calculation

Question 4

How do we get aid from a developed country to a country hit by a catastrophe? (PART 2)

Answer 4

• Do not try and send on the cheap
• Containers hold a lot!
• It is easy to send freight to an airport or a port but that is not the complete journey!

Question 5

What is required once the aid is sent to the country hit by the catastrophe? (PART 1)

Answer 5

• A good agent is required in country, hospitals normally have these, they can be found
• Medical equipment is normally exempt from most taxes but some payment is inevitable
• ## The end user MUST be involved in the import process

Question 6

What is required once the aid is sent to the country hit by the catastrophe? (PART 2)

Answer 6

• Building materials for a hospital may not be tax exempt
• Don’t pay bribes, stand your ground
• Insure
• Be creative with paperwork
• Containers can get anywhere!
• Remember the aid must be relevant, it is not just about making the donor feel good

Question 7

What are the differences between before and after an earthquake hits?

Answer 7

• Dynamic and dangerous situation
• Extreme demand on logistical infrastructure, many NGO’s involved with media pressure
• Political interference / biases
• Infrastructure damage
• Changing objectives
• Commercial interests

Question 8

How should you prepare when travelling to a region hit by a disaster?

Answer 8

• Reduce risk / errors by maximum preparation.
• Define objectives (these are dynamic)
• Team members must be trained / personally equipped
• Maintain good communication
• Command and control
• Arrangements with airlines / freight companies / governments / UN
• Always think weight and volume

Question 9

Summary

Answer 9

• Preparation is key
• Reflect on lessons learnt and apply solutions
• Define objective, have a solution based ethos
• Ask what if this happens etc…