Logistics critical in Haiti disaster

The emergency response to the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti is a vivid example of the importance of logistics. Freight forwarders and transportation providers are key to the emergency response - indeed their capabilities are often greater than those of the military. For example DP-DHL already has a 'Disaster Response Team' that is working on the ground in Haiti with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), advising on logistics management. These teams provide expertise on both operational management and knowledge of the resources available which the UN would struggle to provide itself. Other logistics service providers have similar capabilities, with TNT, UPS and Agility providing teams to the UN's World Food Programme. DBSchenker and Lufthansa are providing dedicated air freight capabilities.

At present many of the humanitarian shipments are being flown to Miami, where they are then trans-shipped. However it is at this point that the problems begin. There is a considerable bottleneck at the main Port-au-Prince airport, despite having been recently taken over by the US authorities. Alternatives include shipping via sea, although the main port in Haiti has also been damaged. A last resort being considered is moving the most urgent medical supplies to a US aircraft carrier anchored off Haiti, and transporting them by helicopter to the mainland.

Getting the supplies beyond Haiti's logistics hubs is also a problem. Many of the main roads, undeveloped prior to the earthquake, have been rendered impassable. Distributing aid to the more remote areas is proving highly challenging, and this is one of the main reasons why the operation has received some criticism. However the difficulties of moving supplies around the island should not be understated.

Whilst in the early days of any such emergency agencies often use non-commercial facilities such as those belonging to the military, the later stages invariably require access to the normal markets for logistics. It is also usually this period that will see the highest volume of freight moved into the region. The massive amount of re-construction in the country will require strong transportation services for many years to come. Although the last few days have seen a focus on the shipment of emergency supplies, this stage is almost at an end. Re-building hospitals, schools, housing, government buildings, ports, roads and airports will soon become the main priority.

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