Ensuring Effective and Efficient Humanitarian Logistical Services Delivery: The role of Disaster Relief Organisations in Ghana

Download Article

DOI: 10.21522/TIJMG.2015.04.01.Art004

Authors : Japhet Baidoo

Abstract:

Sudden natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and tsunamis usually generate destruction on impact, injuring people, rendering many homeless and imposing huge cost to governments by destroying public infrastructure. Considering the adverse effects on properties, human life and the economy at large, it is important to pay particular attention to humanitarian logistics as a vital medium for responding to present disasters and preparing for future ones. This study examined the factors and mechanisms for humanitarian logistical services delivery in Ghana. The case study focused on humanitarian and relief organizations operating in Ghana. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used to gather data from officials of ten disaster relief organizations. Findings from the study revealed important factors for effective and efficient disaster relief operations. Despite financial and logistical challenges, humanitarian organizations have put in place mechanisms for dealing with emergencies. Disaster relief organizations operating in Ghana should adopt innovative and responsive mechanisms in humanitarian relief operation so as to achieve agility.

Keywords: Humanitarian Logistics, Natural Disaster, Relief Organisations. Innovative and Responsive Mechanisms.

References:

[1].     Addai, E. K., Tulashie, S.K., Annan, J.S. and Yeboah, I. (2017). Trend of Fire Outbreaks in Ghana and Ways to Prevent These Incidents, Safety and Health at Work 7 (2016) 284-292.

[2].     Allotey, N. K., Arku, G. and Amponsah, P. E. (2010) Earthquake-disaster preparedness: The Case of Accra, International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 1, 2. 140-156.

[3].     Amponsah, P.K. (2004). Seismic activity in Ghana: Past, present and future. Annals of Geophysics, 47(2/3), 539-543.

[4].     Annan J-S, Addai EK, Tulashie SK. (2015). A call for action to improve occupational health and safety in Ghana and a critical look at the existing legal requirement and legislation. Safety Health Work 2015; 6:146-50.

[5].     Bempah, S. A. and Øyhus. A.O. (2017): The role of social perception in disaster risk reduction: Beliefs, perception, and attitudes regarding flood disasters in communities along the Volta River, Ghana, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 23 (2017) 104–108.

[6].     Bryman, A. (2004), Social Research Methods, 3rd ed, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

[7]. Buatsi, S.N. (2007), Humanitarian logistics: context and challenges in Ghana and Africa, International Conference on humanitarian logistics in Ghana.

[8]. Díaz-Delgado, C and Iniestra, J. G. (2014) Flood Risk Assessment in Humanitarian Logistics Process Design. Journal of Applied Research and Technology, 12, 976-984

[9]. Ernst, R. (2003), The academic side of commercial logistics and the importance of this special issue. Forced Migration Review, 18, p. 5.

[10].  Kopczak, L. R. and Johnson, M. E. (2004), “Can Heroes be Efficient? Information Technology at the International Federation of the Red Cross”, the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth Glassmeyer/McNamee Center for Digital Strategies, Vrs Oct 2004, Kovacs, G. and Spens, K., M. (2007) Humanitarian logistics in disaster relief operations, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 7, 2, 99-114.

[11].  Ntajal, J., Lamptey, B, L., Mahamadou, I. B. and Nyarko, B.K. (2017). Flood disaster risk mapping in the Lower Mono River Basin in Togo, West Africa International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 23 (2017) 93–103.

[12].  Nyarko, B.K. (2010). Flood Risk Zoning of Ghana: Accra Experience, International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXIII, Part B7. Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

[13].  Osei, F. B. (2010), Spatial Statistics of Epidemic Data: The Case of Cholera Epidemiology in Ghana, PhD Thesis, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands.

[14].  Oteng-Ababio, M. (2013). Prevention is better than cure: Assessing Ghana’s preparedness (capacity) for disaster management. Jamba: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 5 (2), 1-11.

[15].  Overstreet, R.E., Hall, D, Hanna, J. B., Rainer, J. and R. Kelly, R (2011). Research in humanitarian logistics. Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 1 (2011), pp. 114-131

[16].  Sam-Okyere E. (2010). Infernos in our offices; demystifying the facts. The Chronicle. 2010 Feb 25; p. 3.

[17].  Sarpong A.O. (2013). Fire risk vulnerability in informal settlements the case of Ashaiman. MS thesis. Accra (Ghana): University of Ghana; 2013.

[18].  Tomasini, R. and Van Wassenhove, L. N. (2009). From preparedness, to partnerships:

[19].  Case study research on humanitarian logistics, International Transactions in Operational Research, 16(5), 549–559.

[20].  Tulashie SK, Addai EK, Annan J-S. (2016). Exposure assessment, a preventive process in managing workplace safety and health, challenges in Ghana. Safety Science, 2016; 84:210-215. van Wassenhove, L.N. (2006), Humanitarian aid logistics: supply chain management in high gear, Journal of the Operational Research Society, 57,5. 475-89.

[21].  WHO (2015) Situation Report on Cholera Outbreak in Ghana as of 24 May 2015 (Week 21), Country Office Accra, Ghana.

[22].  Yin, R. K. (2004). Case Study Research: Design and Methods, 3rd Ed. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.