An RFID-based inventory management framework for emergency relief operations

AbstractHaving reliable telecommunication systems in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic event makes a huge difference in the combined effort by local authorities, local fire and police departments, and rescue teams to save lives. This paper proposes a physical model that links base stations that are still operational with aerial platforms and then uses a machine learning framework to evolve ground-to-air propagation model for such an ad hoc network. Such a physical model is quick and easy to deploy and the underlying air-to-ground (ATG) propagation models are both resilient and scalable and may use a wide range of link budget, grade of service (GoS), and quality of service (QoS) parameters to optimise their performance and in turn the effectiveness of the physical model. The prediction results of a simulated deployment of such a physical model and the evolved propagation model in an ad hoc network offers much promise in restoring communication links during emergency relief operations.

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Book Review: Guidelines for the Use of Vitamin A in Emergency Relief Operations

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/156482659001200110 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 2-2

Keyword(s):

Vitamin A ◽

Emergency Relief ◽

Relief Operations

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The potential of a semi-decentralised bulk water treatment approach for emergency relief

Journal of Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Development ◽

10.2166/washdev.2014.043 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 709-713 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Caetano C. Dorea ◽

Vincent Jalaber

Keyword(s):

Water Treatment ◽

Treatment Approach ◽

Bulk Water ◽

Emergency Relief ◽

Humanitarian Emergencies ◽

Test Water ◽

Point Of Use ◽

Household Water ◽

Synthetic Test ◽

Relief Operations

Humanitarian water treatment interventions vary from package bulk ‘kits’ to household (point-of-use) options. Whereas the former can be perceived to be too complex to operate, the latter, whilst relatively simple and effective, has logistical requirements that may hinder its application during relief operations. This study evaluates the potential of a semi-decentralised water treatment approach for humanitarian emergencies. Its performance was evaluated against the relevant water quality treatment objectives (The Sphere Project) under controlled laboratory conditions using a synthetic test water. Results revealed that whilst the recommended minimum free chlorine residual levels were not attained (possibly due to high chlorine demand of test water), all other treatment objectives were within desired values, namely: <1 colony-forming unit (cfu)/100 mL with regards to thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms and <5 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units) for treated water turbidity. Given the performance of the semi-decentralised approach tested here, it could be expected to attain all treatment objectives when tested in natural surface waters. It has the potential to bridge the gap between centralised (i.e. bulk water treatment kits) and fully decentralised (i.e. household) water supply strategies.

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Disaster relief logistics operation: an insight from Ghana

International Journal of Emergency Services ◽

10.1108/ijes-10-2016-0022 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 4-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Kwame Owusu-Kwateng ◽

Munir Abdul Hamid ◽

Bernice Debrah

Keyword(s):

Inventory Management ◽

Disaster Relief ◽

Human Life ◽

Study Finding ◽

Emergency Relief ◽

Content Type ◽

Disaster Situation ◽

Assessment Time ◽

Effective Assessment ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose Coordinating logistics in the midst of a relief operation is often an overwhelming job that can jeopardise the human life and assets if not done rapidly and practicably. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of relief logistics in a disaster situation in Ghana with emphasis on the coordination of emergency relief operation and effectiveness of inventory management. Design/methodology/approach A stratified sampling method was employed to a sample of 134 respondents from regional, district and municipal offices in the National Disaster Management Organisation in Ghana using a self-administered questionnaire. Findings The findings from this study revealed an effective assessment time but late delivery of relief items. They also revealed issues with respect to resource availability, inventory management and coordination with relief actors which resulted in slow response to affected population. Practical implications The result from this study reveals an ineffective disaster relief response. The practical implications of this issue have been highlighted. In addition, ways to effectively address this issue have been discussed. Originality/value Drawing insight from previous work and study finding, the paper presents a framework for effective relief logistics operation focussing on all relevant actors in each phase of disaster.

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Multilevel performance management framework for small to medium sized water utilities in Canada

Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering ◽

10.1139/cjce-2015-0227 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 42 (11) ◽

pp. 889-900 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Husnain Haider ◽

Rehan Sadiq ◽

Solomon Tesfamariam

Keyword(s):

Customer Satisfaction ◽

Performance Management ◽

Inventory Management ◽

Economies Of Scale ◽

Water Utilities ◽

Management Framework ◽

Performance Benchmarking ◽

Data Limitations ◽

Physical Assets ◽

Functional Components

In Canada, small to medium sized water utilities (SMWU) do not often participate in National Water and Wastewater Benchmarking Initiative due to lesser economies of scale, lack of resources, and data limitations. Consequently, such SMWU are managing their functional components (i.e., environmental, personnel, operational, physical assets, customer satisfaction, public health, and financial) without quantitatively assessing and knowing if they are meeting their performance objectives. A multilevel performance management framework, consisting of five modules has been developed and implemented for SMWU in BC, Canada. The framework provides an approach to identify and select the suitable performance indicators for SMWU, and to use them for inter-utility performance benchmarking under limited data. The subsequent modules can be used for detailed performance management at utility, system, and sub-component levels. The utility managers can effectively employ this framework to identify the underperforming functional components and can rationally take corrective actions, and address customer satisfaction with efficient inventory management and data analyses.

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V. Repatriation and Development Assistance

Refuge ◽

10.25071/1920-7336.21866 ◽

1996 ◽

pp. 14-15

Author(s):

Robert F. Gorman ◽

Gaim Kibreab

Keyword(s):

Original Work ◽

Local Level ◽

Development Assistance ◽

Emergency Relief ◽

External Resources ◽

Local Resources ◽

Relief Operations ◽

International Role ◽

Full Copy

The authors argue that refugees should be seen as agents of a process of development to begin during temporary protection and extend well into the process of return and reintegration. The process of development advocated is intended to engage local resources and energies in the refugee, host and stayee communities, in a "bottom-up" fashion. It involves a unified international role in allocating resources, enlivening and promoting development at the local level, and ensuring accountability. The mechanisms proposed require "judicious, not lavish" external resources, and establish a continuum between emergency relief operations and long-term development assistance. This is a substantially abbreviated version of the authors' original work. Please refer to the notice at the end of this section if you are interested in obtaining a full copy of the paper, which is expected to be published in mid-1996.

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