 |
Design, Operations, & Production Systems Lab (DeOPSys) |
   |
You are here
An Integrated Methodological framework for Emergency Logistics – MELOGIC
Project Duration:
24 months (January 2015 – December 2016)
Project Partners:
- CYPRUS - European University Cyprus
- GREECE - University of the Aegean (DeOPSYs Lab - Department of Financial and Management Engineering)
- ITALY - Croce Rossa Italiana, Cornitato Provinciale Di Roma (Red Cross)
- SPAIN - Caritas Diocesana de Teruel y de Albarracin (Provincial Responsible of CARITAS)
- FINLAND - Svenska Handelshogskolan (Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Research Institute)
Funding
European Commission – DG ECHO
1. Scope
Recent natural disasters in Europe stressed the need for the development and operation of efficient and effective disaster relief networks, and revealed the limitations in preparedness policy, in terms of disaster logistics operations, at local and regional level. To this end, the proposed project aims at addressing emergency situations caused by natural disasters, in order to provide an integrated, easily applicable methodological framework for optimizing logistics preparedness operations. The main project objectives are as follows:
- Categorization of main emergency logistic problems
- Creation of an e-library (data repository) of best practices and lessons learnt in emergency logistics
- Modelling of emergency logistics problems and development of efficient methods to solve them
- Design and development of a toolbox that will improve preparedness levels against natural disasters
- Theoretical and practical training of users and decision makers
- Communication plan and activities for dissemination of the results to civil protection stakeholders
2. Approach
The approach for addressing the main objectives of the project is as follows:
- Identification of end-users’ current status (with emphasis on logistics operations), inefficiencies, and needs
- Collection and categorization of best practices, lessons learnt and strategic/tactic actions for emergency logistics processes.
- Literature review in pre-positioning techniques and methodologies of emergency supplies in terms of warehouse location and inventory management
- Development of OR algorithms that will be embedded in a decision support system that will be used for optimizing inventory levels of consumable and non-consumable goods as well as for the identification of the optimal locations of warehouse facilities.
- Hands-on training of users and decision makers
3. Results (expected)
The expected results are as follows:
- Creation of an integrated relief logistics operations plan for disaster management and guides for specific areas of intervention (Greece, Spain, Italy)
- Provision of significant support to local and regional authorities for tackling operational problems that arise during the preparedness phase
- Optimal management of human resources (professionals, volunteers, national and international teams) and material/equipment in emergency situations.
- A practical toolbox that will support decision making in planning/ preparedness procedures of the local/regional authorities.
- Pilot/demo actions that will further enhance the experience of local/regional authorities in handling preparedness logistics activities for natural disasters
Projects:
Τhe Design, Operations, and Production Systems Lab is “knowledge Partner” of the Green Freight Europe Initiative.