Research Directions in Information Systems for Humanitarian Logistics

This article systematically reviews the literature on using IT (Information Technology) in humanitarian logistics focusing on disaster relief operations. We first discuss problems in humanitarian relief logistics. We then identify the stage and disaster type for each article as well as the article’s research methodology and research contribution. Finally, we identify potential future research directions

Challenges and Recommendations for Disaster Response for the Medical Supply Chain: A Case Study of Hurricane Laura

There are many areas that need improvement in the medical supply chain when it comes to humanitarian disaster responses specifically related to hurricanes. The purpose is to provide an overview of the various factors and challenges in the medical supply chain that must be considered when responding to a hurricane disaster, focusing specifically on Hurricane Laura. Specifically, I focus on five key issues that I assembled based on the literature that must be taken into account when responding to hurricane disaster: (1) availability of resources, (2) inventory management control, (3) risk management strategies, (4) coordination among stakeholders, and (5) debris management. This research draws upon qualitative methods including an interview with an industry expert and a literature review to analyze the current landscape of hurricane disaster response in the supply chain. I aim to establish potential solutions for addressing these issues based on previous best practices

Challenges and Recommendations for Disaster Response for the Medical Supply Chain: A Case Study of Hurricane Laura

There are many areas that need improvement in the medical supply chain when it comes to humanitarian disaster responses specifically related to hurricanes. The purpose is to provide an overview of the various factors and challenges in the medical supply chain that must be considered when responding to a hurricane disaster, focusing specifically on Hurricane Laura. Specifically, I focus on five key issues that I assembled based on the literature that must be taken into account when responding to hurricane disaster: (1) availability of resources, (2) inventory management control, (3) risk management strategies, (4) coordination among stakeholders, and (5) debris management. This research draws upon qualitative methods including an interview with an industry expert and a literature review to analyze the current landscape of hurricane disaster response in the supply chain. I aim to establish potential solutions for addressing these issues based on previous best practices

Weather and Climate Information for Tourism

The tourism sector is one of the largest and fastest growing global industries and is a significant contributor to national and local economies around the world. The interface between climate and tourism is multifaceted and complex, as climate represents both a vital resource to be exploited and an important limiting factor that poses risks to be managed by the tourism industry and tourists alike. All tourism destinations and operators are climate-sensitive to a degree and climate is a key influence on travel planning and the travel experience. This chapter provides a synopsis of the capacities and needs for climate services in the tourism sector, including current and emerging applications of climate services by diverse tourism end-users, and a discussion of key knowledge gaps, research and capacity-building needs and partnerships that are required to accelerate the application of climate information to manage risks to climate variability and facilitate successful adaptation to climate change

Weather and Climate Information for Tourism

The tourism sector is one of the largest and fastest growing global industries and is a significant contributor to national and local economies around the world. The interface between climate and tourism is multifaceted and complex, as climate represents both a vital resource to be exploited and an important limiting factor that poses risks to be managed by the tourism industry and tourists alike. All tourism destinations and operators are climate-sensitive to a degree and climate is a key influence on travel planning and the travel experience. This chapter provides a synopsis of the capacities and needs for climate services in the tourism sector, including current and emerging applications of climate services by diverse tourism end-users, and a discussion of key knowledge gaps, research and capacity-building needs and partnerships that are required to accelerate the application of climate information to manage risks to climate variability and facilitate successful adaptation to climate change

Weather and Climate Information for Tourism

The tourism sector is one of the largest and fastest growing global industries and is a significant contributor to national and local economies around the world. The interface between climate and tourism is multifaceted and complex, as climate represents both a vital resource to be exploited and an important limiting factor that poses risks to be managed by the tourism industry and tourists alike. All tourism destinations and operators are climate-sensitive to a degree and climate is a key influence on travel planning and the travel experience. This chapter provides a synopsis of the capacities and needs for climate services in the tourism sector, including current and emerging applications of climate services by diverse tourism end-users, and a discussion of key knowledge gaps, research and capacity-building needs and partnerships that are required to accelerate the application of climate information to manage risks to climate variability and facilitate successful adaptation to climate change

NOAA Hurricane Preparedness Summit 2022

On April 20-21, 2022, NOAA’s Disaster Preparedness Program partnered with Coastal Response Research Center (CRRC) to facilitate three webinars focusing on NOAA’s hurricane preparedness and readiness for personnel (people), mission, and infrastructure (PMI). The virtual event entitled “NOAA Hurricane Preparedness Summit 2022,” helped put NOAA in a better posture for the 2022 hurricane season by identifying best practices and lessons learned from the 2021 season, recognizing challenges specific to the Pacific Islands, and socializing tools and resources available to support different stages of storm landfall. Specific objectives for this year’s Summit were to: 1. Understand best practices and lessons learned from the 2021 hurricane season;2. Become knowledgeable about PMI topics;3. Work towards improving consistency in response between federal and state partners;4. Recognize challenges for the next hurricane season;5. Introduce and familiarize tools and resources; and6. Understand gaps given the current limitations

A Disaster Relief Inventory Model Based on Transshipment

This research study is an effort to shed light on how transshipment may help improve the management of inventory in a disaster relief system. System dynamics simulation was used to compare inventory control and costs in a humanitarian supply chain without transshipment vs. one with transshipment. A framework for this approach is given along with the results of simulations on a system consisting of two warehouses where transshipment is allowed compared to the alternative where transshipment is not allowed. The preliminary results of this study indicate that transshipment can reduce costs and improve service to disaster victims based on inventory levels maintained in the warehouses. In some cases, transshipment may be more expensive, but this assumes the cost of replenishing inventory as a result of emergency purchase costs

A review of methods to better predict and reduce the risk of hurricane damage to the energy sector

In the event of a hurricane, electricity is the most important utility as it provides heat, water, food, light, communication, and medical care to communities. Research predicts an increase in frequency and strength of hurricanes with time due to climate change, which requires communities and electric utility companies to be prepared for the inevitable. This paper assesses existing methods of hurricane preparation and restoration of the electric power grid in hurricane prone locations with regards to the electric utility companies and electric distribution systems. In this study, I perform a comparative analysis between different methods of planning and forecasting electrical power outages for a hurricane event. Previous research analyzes single models and methods, where this paper compares the many different models and methods to synthesize the most promising results for electric utility companies to implement. Results from this study indicate that hardening the electrical grid and optimizing the electrical forecast models with more promising variables (Estimated maximum wind speed, duration of high winds, previous outages, and tree densities) and model types (General Additive Models and Bayesian Additive Regression Tree models) will reduce response and recovery time of the electrical grid after a hurricane. This study is important as it will guide electrical utility companies on better methods to prepare and respond to hurricanes to facilitate fewer power outages and quicker recovery times after a hurricane, saving money and lives of affected communities and service areas

NOAA Hurricane Preparedness Summit 2023 Report

The theme for the 4th annual summit was to advance NOAA’s ability to adapt and respond to the effects of a changing climate and extreme weather events. NOAA’s Disaster Preparedness Program partnered with CRRC to facilitate webinars on two consecutive days focusing on NOAA’s hurricane preparedness and readiness for personnel (people), mission, and infrastructure (PMI). The virtual event entitled “NOAA Hurricane Preparedness Summit 2023,” helped put NOAA in a better posture for the 2023 hurricane season by identifying best practices and lessons learned from the 2022 season, recognizing and discussing challenges related to climate change and extreme weather events, and socializing tools and resources available to support different stages of response. The summit included plenary presentations from federal and state agency representatives outlining topics such as: storm specific lessons learned, communication of severity of risk, working smarter and safer, maintaining wellness during response, contingency planning, and available tools and resources