The Assessment of Challenges and Prospects of Humanitarian Logistics Practices in the case of Red Cross Society in Gondar District, Gondar, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Global sudden disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and epidemics and slow-onset disasters like droughts, floods and famines contribute significantly to increasing vulnerability and humanitarian needs in the world. Since 1884, Ethiopia has experienced recurrent droughts, floods, and pandemic diseases that have affected 80 percent of population. The overall problem in disaster relief is poor support for logistics. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the challenges faced by humanitarian logistics during disaster relief operation and explore the prospects organizations might have with specific reference of the Red Cross Society in Gondar city. 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 data was analyzed by using descriptive texts, frequency tables, means and standard deviations SPSS version 25 software package and presented using descriptive texts, frequency tables, means and standard deviations. According to the data collected from the respondents, the major external challenges faced by the organization are security challenges logistics 41(82%). The major internal logistics challenges of the organization are no learning and development scheme in ERCS to support the logistics staff 45( 90%) and Quality and speed of information flow in ERCS is not up to the standard 40(80%). The study revealed that the prospect of ERCS in the study area is very bright as indicated by majority of the respondents. Six indicators were used to assess the prospect of ERCS in the study area. Implement comprehensive and detailed assessment of relief logistics to capture rapid changes and ensure reconstruction and recovery requirements.