Humanitarian Aid Missions Research Articles

The Relative Effects of Logistics, Coordination and Human Resource on Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Mission Performance

Most studies on humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) missions suggest that the quality of logistics, coordination and human resource management will affect their performance. However, studies in developing countries are mainly conceptual and lack the necessary empirical evidence to support these contentions. The current paper thereby aimed to fill this knowledge gap by statistically examining the effects of the abovementioned factors on such missions. Focusing on the Malaysian army due to its extensive experience in HADR operations, the paper opted for a quantitative approach to allow for a more objective analysis of the issues. The results show that there are other potential determinants of mission success which deserve due attention in future studies. They also suggest that human resource is not easily measured as a construct, and that this limitation in methodology must be overcome to derive more accurate conclusions regarding its effect on HADR mission performance.

Determinants of HADR mission success: exploring the experience of the Malaysian army

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to empirically explore issues in humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) missions and examine the effects of selected factors on mission success. The paper focusses on organisational perspectives of the Malaysian army due to their extensive experience in HADR operations.Design/methodology/approach– Interactions among three broad factors namely human resource, logistics and coordination, as well as their effects on mission performance, were examined. A qualitative approach was chosen because it allowed for an exploratory yet a more in-depth analysis of the issues.Findings– Results suggest that while the effects of logistics and coordination on mission success appear to be direct, human resource influences it in a more indirect manner. Additionally, from a military viewpoint, HADR teams are also challenged by factors which are less controllable such as public support and local infrastructure.Research limitations/implications– The study has contributed to knowledge by proposing a more refined model of HADR operations performance which highlights relationships not adequately studied before. Based on the model, a quantitative study can be undertaken in the future to determine the relative effect of each factor.Practical implications– Among the areas of HADR operations that will benefit from the study are human resource and cross-cultural management, communication and interpersonal relations and information technology.Originality/value– Military perspectives of HADR missions are shared in the paper, which enrich current understanding of issues faced in such operations. The paper should also serve as an impetus for greater empirical research among scholars concerned with organisational perspectives in HADR operations performance.

Logistic Processes in a Post-disaster Relief Operation

Logistics is the key to disaster response operations and humanitarian aid missions. The length and quality of care, significant factors for reducing the negative social and economic impacts in humanitarian operations in an emergency, are significantly influenced by the degree of excellence in logistics operations. Thus, this study aims in synthesizing the logistics concepts applied to disaster response operations and their evaluation in order to contribute with a methodology that can be applied in these situations in Brazil. Therefore, through the analysis of seven documents focused on the application of logistics concepts in disaster response operations and of several publications on the field of humanitarian logistics, was possible to identify a set of logistics processes and actions which are related to the success of disaster response operations. In order to structure such actions, it was developed a framework, aimed at the application in the field of disaster response operations in Brazil.

Linking a throughput simulation to a systems dynamics simulation to assess the utility of a US Navy foreign humanitarian aid mission

The success of any humanitarian aid mission is generally measured by the timeliness of critical supplies that are delivered to the affected area. However, a more interesting analysis may be to determine the effect of the aid on the overall satisfaction of the local population. The authors' research focused on the delivery of humanitarian aid to a notional region that was decimated by flooding with ships, landing craft and security personnel provided by the US Navy and Marines. While the research effort addressed naval force structure, the focus of the research was: (1) to assess different delivery methods for the aid; and (2) to determine how the aid delivery impacted the overall satisfaction of the local population. To examine both concerns, two simulation models were developed, with one examining the throughput of aid delivered during the operation, and the other the satisfaction of the population based on the humanitarian aid effort.

Developing-World Disaster Research: Present Evidence and Future Priorities

The technology and resource-rich solutions of the developed world may not be completely applicable to or replicable in disasters occurring in the developing world. With the current looming hazards of pandemics, climate change, global terrorism and conflicts around the world, policy makers and governments will need high-quality scientific data to make informed decisions for preparedness and mitigation. The evidence on disasters in peer-reviewed journals about the developing world was examined for quality and quantity in this systematic review. PubMed was searched using the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms disasters, disaster medicine, rescue work, relief work, and conflict and then refined using the MeSH term developing country. The final list of selected manuscripts were analyzed by type of article, level of evidence, theme of the manuscript and topic, author affiliation, and region of the study. After searching and refining, <1% of the citations in PubMed addressed disasters in developing countries. The majority was original research articles or reviews, and most of the original research articles were level IV or V evidence. Less than 25% of the authors were from the developing world. The predominant themes were missions, health care provision, and humanitarian aid during the acute phase of disasters in the developing world. Considering that 85% of disasters and 95% of disaster-related deaths occur in the developing world, the overwhelming number of casualties has contributed insignificantly to the world's peer-reviewed literature. Less than 1% of all disaster-related publications are about disasters in the developing world. This may be a publication bias, or it may be a genuine lack of submissions dealing with these disasters. Authors in this part of the world need to contribute to future disaster research through better-quality systematic research and better funding priorities. Aid for sustaining long-term disaster research may be a more useful investment in mitigating future disasters than short-term humanitarian aid missions to the developing world.

(A123) Developing World Disaster Health Research - Present Evidence and Future Priorities

Developing world disaster Health research - Present Evidence &amp; future prioritiesIntroductionConsidering that 85% of disasters and 95% of disaster-related deaths occur in the developing world, the overwhelming number of casualties has contributed insignificantly to the world's peer-reviewed literature. The existing &amp; available evidence on disasters in peer-reviewed journals about the developing world, was examined for quality and quantity in this systematic review.MethodsThe free PubMed database was searched using the MeSH (Medical Subject Heading) terms ‘disasters’, ‘disaster medicine, ‘rescue work’, ‘relief work’ and ‘conflict’ and then refined using the MeSH terms ‘developing country’. The final list of selected manuscripts were analyzed by type of article, level of evidence, theme of the manuscript and topic, author affiliation &amp; region of the study.ResultsCitations using MeSH search terms ‘disasters’, ‘disaster medicine, ‘rescue work’, ‘relief work’ &amp; ‘conflict’ yielded 63,196 results. After these results were refined using the second MeSH term “developing country”, 438 articles were retained. Less than 1% (0.69%) citations in PubMed dealt with developing country disasters. Half of the manuscripts (46.5%) were found to be original research articles (36.1%) or reviews (10.4%), while more than a quarter (29.5%) were commentaries. 97.4% (149/153) of all ‘original research articles’ were Level IV or V evidence. A fifth (20.3%) of the authors of all manuscripts on developing world disasters were from the developing world (82/404); Predominant themes (29.1%) were missions, healthcare provision and humanitarian aid during the acute phase of developing world disasters.ConclusionLess than 1% of all disaster-related publications are about developing world disasters. Also, the developed world, authors four-fifths of the articles about developing world disasters, and contributes the predominant perspective. Aid for sustaining long-term disaster research may be a more useful investment in mitigating future disasters, than short-term humanitarian aid missions to the developing world.

Humanitarian Aid Mission in East Timor: Experiences of U.S. Naval Medical Services

The U.S. military was actively involved in humanitarian aid throughout the world for much of the 20th century and is likely to continue in this role well into the 21st century. During the recent Western Pacific Deployment, we were called on to provide assistance to the local population in East Timor in what is called a humanitarian assistance operation. This article explores this increasingly important role of military medicine and is written in hopes of providing insight to future teams planning altruistic deployments to underserved countries. The spectrum of topics covered includes personnel, equipment, supplies, resources, and the type of medical needs that were met. This information may also be useful as a reference for military and nonmilitary health care workers who find themselves assisting people and nations in need.

Psychiatrist Answers Plea To Help Tsunami Victims

Psychiatrist Answers Plea To Help Tsunami Victims

Risks posed by venomous animals -- accidents due to snakebite envenomation

In regions where poisonous animals are widely distributed, the management of injuries due to these animals is part of the routine medical care. Personnel e. g. deployed for humanitarian aid missions in these areas have to be prepared to face these challenges as well. Beside this group zoo personnel and snake charmers here in Europe are also endangered. The most common form of animal poisoning is due to snake bites. There are approximately 600 different species of poisonous snakes, commonly found in the warm climatic regions. But poisoning from spiders, scorpions and some marine animals can also be life threatening. There are different kinds of snake venoms, which result into different clinical presentations depending on the components of the venom. The venom may be cytotoxic, hematotoxic, neurotoxic, rhabdomyolytic, cardiotoxic, renotoxic or may cause an autoimmune reaction by complement activation. In the management of injuries following animal poisoning, besides the first aid measures taken, the injured is supposed to be managed according to the poison component in the venom with specific antivenin treatment and supportive therapeutic care. There are mono- and polyvalent antivenins available. Noneffective first-aid measures or measures which can cause further trauma must always be avoided. In general adapted behaviour in the field can prevent envenomation. Education on preventive measures with the aim of behaviour change are central components for pre-deployment preparations.

HIV/AIDS, the military and the impact on national and international security

Abstract This article examines the impact of HIV/AIDS on the armed forces and the implications high infection rates among military personnel poses for national and international security. Data are provided of the current HIV/AIDS infection rates in the different regions of the world, with specific reference to Southern Africa and the armed forces of the region. The implications high infection levels within African armed forces hold for operational effectiveness are highlighted and the impact this epidemic has on future peacekeeping and humanitarian aid missions discussed. In the last section of the article, the link between human, national and international security are expanded upon, emphasising the destabilising effect HIV/AIDS has on global security and why this disease has been declared one of the most pressing transnational security challenges facing mankind.

Planning a medical relief mission

Surveillance of drug consumption and disease incidence from medical relief missions in two locations--southeast Asia and eastern Africa--revealed close similarities. Analgesics, antibiotics, antimalarials, antihistamine or decongestant preparations (or both), bronchodilators, and scabicides were the 10 most commonly used drugs. Orthopedic, respiratory, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, and ophthalmic conditions, malaria, sexually transmitted diseases, and parasitic infestations were encountered most frequently. Recognition and early treatment of xerophthalmia, trachoma, and onchocerciasis, which are rare in more developed countries but common at tropical latitudes, can prevent the blindness that results from untreated disease progression. Pulse-temperature relationships and fever patterns may offer diagnostic clues to physicians deprived of laboratory support. Important logistic considerations, disease incidences, and selected topics and idiosyncrasies of humanitarian aid missions to tropical communities are discussed in hopes of aiding providers who are planning future relief missions.