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This is terrible, but it IS a logistical nightmare.  I don't know as there is a solution.  Whenever there is a disaster in our region (I'm thinking hurricanes), people get desperate and upset at the slow pace of rescue and recovery, but what can be done to expedite it?  It is terrible, terrible, terrible!  If it was as simple as hopping on a plane and going over there to offer help, I'm sure many people would do it, but we would likely be creating more obstacles than contributing to any recovery.

"Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne
by maracatu on Fri Jan 15th, 2010 at 09:07:09 PM EST
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There's 3 million people needing help in Haiti.  Untrained, inexperienced, unwanted people only means the emergency workers have to support them as well.  The MSF and other 'first responders' carry a full logistic package as part of their standard deployment and have their own re-supply operations.  Everybody else needs to Butt Out.

As a Emergency Logistics Manager, nothing on this scale, I can tell you it takes 72 hours before supplies start flowing into the region and another 48 hours, or so, to do the work so you can start distributing those supplies.  it's not just a matter of throwing the stuff out the back of an airplane or truck.  Things have to be unpacked, inventories, and re-packed for distribution.  You have to have distribution channels and you have to have designated supply points spread through out the city to prevent 'clog.'  You've got to have the infrastructure to warehouse the supplies, transport the supplies from the arrival point to the warehouse, warehouses, some form of vehicles - even if it is only wheelbarrows - to transport supplies, some kind of food and shelter for the logistics workers ... and so on.

Cuba does this rather well because they SPENT THE DAMN MONEY (!) to build the logistics and other emergency infrastructure.  Also, whatever else one can say about 'em, the Communist Party it can be said in their favor that they are organized.  Meaning there is a group of (semi) disciplined people that can be thrown into the mix aside from the regular police, fire, hospital, medical, and other standing emergency workers.  They established a world-class infrastructure for hurricanes, whether it would work for a 7 magnitude earthquake I doubt.  Nobody has.  It's probably impossible.

by ATinNM on Fri Jan 15th, 2010 at 09:57:34 PM EST
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