Atlanta Journal Constitution - February 3, 2010
Column by Ozlem Ergun, Pinar Keskinocak, and Julie Swann, co-directors at the Center of Focused Research on Health and Humanitarian Logistics, and professors in the Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech. The earthquake in Haiti, tsunami in Indonesia, and Hurricane Katrina are all events that inspire us to help. In a rush of support, we make donations and expect quick results. With frustration, however, we see that there is a gap between the event and when supplies actually reach people in need. Why? In the case of Haiti, the infrastructure was completely destroyed. The main port and airport were not operational for the first 48 hours, making it impossible for aid to enter the country. Once the airport's runway was operational, there was chaos prioritizing which planes should land. Even after aid was on land, debris blocked roads with no available equipment to clear them. This is the conundrum that's plaguing relief workers and frustrating and confusing those donating money for recovery. Read more>>