Practices & Challenges Of Humanitarian Logistics: The Case Of Care Ethiopia
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Date
2020-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Over the years, the number of dramatically and
consequently also the need for humanitarian logistics. Thus, humanitarian logistics is highly
important to efficiently provide aid to those people in need. Improving humanitarian logistics
entails assessing the practice and identifying the major challenges impeding its applications.
Thus, the aim this study is to assess the humanitarian logistics practices and challenges of Care
Ethiopia. The study used descriptive research design accompanied by mixed method approach to
the research. Due to the small size of the target population census survey were applied. In order
to collect data from the logistics staffs; 46 questionnaires were distributed to logistic officers,
logistic assistant, procurement officers and others. The humanitarian logistics practices of the
organization were assessed using the five basic logistics practices; situation assessment,
procurement, transportation, warehouse and distribution management practices. Besides, both
internal and external challenges faced by the organization during its humanitarian operations
were identified. The findings of the study indicate that situation assessment, warehouse and
distribution management are practiced to moderate and greater extents whereas the procurement
and transportation practices need more emphasis. Challenges related to infrastructural condition,
accessibility, security and restricted use of technology were identified. The researcher
recommends provision of training and experience sharing platforms for employees, adopting prepositioning of relief supplies, using various transportation optimization models, encouraging
collaboration among various humanitarian actors and organizations, working with government to
improve infrastructural condition in disaster prone areas and using reliable means of transport.
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Keywords
Disaster, Humanitarian logistics, natural and man-made disasters has increased