Some chaos is an integral part of all disasters The mismanagement of the humanitarian assistance often leads to a ‘secondary disaster’

The WHO/PAHO standardized methodology and tool to manage large amounts of humanitarian supplies

SUMA Promoted and implemented by WHO/PAHO Identifies, sorts, and classifies incoming humanitarian aid Prioritizes supplies based on the needs of the affected population Trains volunteers in the Americas Available in other region (Gambia, Manila, Angola, Pakistan, Indonesia, etc.) Operates with IT available in low-income countries All humanitarian supplies Tool for transparency Endorsed by OCHA and forms part of OCHA/UNDAC training

UNJLC - UN Joint Logistics Centre Promoted and implemented by WFP Reports to OCHA Provides a quick snapshot and bold figures of specific humanitarian supplies (less then 30 items) Compiles data from different agencies Posted to the WEB WHO/SUMA staff collaborating with UNJLC

There is still a lack of coordination at national and/or international level among all interested humanitarian partners.

Agreement between UN agencies To develop an integrated system to improve coordination In addition, FUNDESUMA and UNJLC have contributed in the design and development of the software and technical documentation.

LSS Main Objectives To consolidate and share information on a limited number of key commodities between all actors to facilitate inter-institutional coordination. To complement agency-specific commodity tracking systems To register incoming supplies in an affected country (including unsolicited supplies) To provide a tool for National Emergency Authorities (all disasters), NGO, UN Agencies, etc. To be useful in: Major emergencies (OCHA) Small scale emergencies Non-emergency situation To minimize duplication and improve the response to actual needs of affected populations To strength national capacity in logistic management The system IS NOT replacing any other system that Agencies, NGOs or other actors may have to manage their own supplies

CTS (Commodities Tracking System)

Exchange of Information LSS

Administrative Arrangements for LSS Development PAHO administered software development aspects following UN rules Advisory committee with one representative of each contributing agency in charge of monitoring design and development (WHO, PAHO, WFP, OCHA, UNICEF and UNHCR)

Chronology of the LSS Project Six UN agencies and main NGOs agreed on main principles of humanitarian supply management Mid 2002Approval of RFPs (Terms of Reference) Jan 2003Contract signed with vendor following UN rules July 2003Design Document approved Sep-2004Beta software finished – Demo to UN working group End 2004Testing of beta version (November-December 2004) Mid 2005Reception of Version 1.0 (Windows and Web applications) Mid 2005Testing and training courses with LEMA users

Where are we now? Software (Windows and Web Version) –Finalized and tested English / Spanish Training Material –Practices/Technical Documentation ready English / Spanish WEB Site –Domain -> English / Spanish Final Distribution CD

Formal Training sessions Maldives (December 2005) WHO, UNICEF, IFRC, Government (Ministry of Health, Custom, Treasure, Atoll Hospital and Health centers) Jamaica (February 2006) Training of Trainers 13 English Speaking Countries. Panama (March 2006) Training of Trainers 8 Spanish Speaking Countries of Central America. El Salvador/Costa Rica/St Kitts and Navis (March/April 2006) World Vision / Red Cross Colombia/Peru/Argentina/Mexico Bahamas/Turks and Caicos (May/June 2006)

About LSS Software

Modern and Adaptable Modern intuitive user interface Supports standalone, networked and enterprise configurations Based on the highly adaptable Microsoft SQL Server database technology Two components: Windows and web module Multi-user support on the Windows and the web module

LSS Windows Module Functions Entries Deliveries Pipeline Request Report on selected items (Stock Basket) Interchange information between LSS Sites Import information from CTS (UN, NGO’s)

LSS Web Module Same functions as Windows application, in a rich web interface No deployment or setup process for end users Allows global access and data sharing Supports rapid deployment and delivery of services around the world

Leading Edge Architecture Technical architecture separates the presentation layer from the application’s logic and data resources Can be installed using a royalty-free MSDE database or Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Developed with Microsoft Visual Basic.Net Developed with the object-oriented paradigm

Non SQL Server license required to keep a free distribution MSDE : Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine, royalty-free version of the SQL Server. –Windows application stand alone –Windows application basic networked environments

Configurable Functionality LSS’ functionality is configurable to allow users to install a basic data entry model or complete inventory system

Custom Report Custom Query allows easier data access for reporting

Advance Graphing Advance custom graphing capabilities

Multiple Language Support Designed from the ground up to support multiple languages (At this time in English and Spanish) Users can customize the menus, labels and captions of the LSS application to their local language conventions using the included Resource Editor Tool Non-Roman alphabet support

Interchange information between LSS Sites Allows users to share data among LSS sites Incorporate information from Commodity tracking systems Supports import from Non-LSS applications, using simplified CSV file format Supports flexible item definitions for inter-agency integration and reporting

Hurricane STAN LSS Software Salvador: –Comalapa Airport (Points of Entry) –COEN (National Emergency Committee) Warehouses) –MoH (Ministry of Health) Field testing during an emergency

Guatemala: –CONRED (National Emergency Committee) Receiving all international aid (Planes) Air distribution (Planes / Helicopters) –SOSEP (Ministry of Social Works) Land Distribution –MoH (Ministry of Health) Field testing during an emergency Hurricane STAN LSS Software

Pakistan Earthquake Islamabad –Joint WHO/Ministry of Health – Emergency Operation Centre North Pakistan –Muzaffarabat WHO & Ministry of Health –Masehra WHO & Ministry of Health –Balakot WHO

Next steps

Logistic Support System Definition of policies for the management of supplies at the point of entry when the disaster strikes at a National Level Promote the system as a tool for non- emergency situations for smaller agencies and national institutions (that can not afford the cost/HR required) Improve the coordination with other partners of the UN family Promote the system as a tool for agencies for complementing their CTS at a local level.

Acknowledgments The Logistics Support System (LSS) has been possible thanks to the active participation of the following agencies: WHO, PAHO, UNICEF, WFP, OCHA, and UNHCR. This recognition extends to the countries that have contributed their logistical experience in disaster management and the following organizations who participated with their time and personnel in the technical meetings and workshops on the logistical management of humanitarian supplies: CARE, World Economic Forum, MSF, OXFAM UK, FICR, HAP, AHA, Fritz Institute, All Russian Disaster Medicine Centers, World Bank, VOICE, Interaction, CICR, BIOFORCE, USD Defense Logistic Agency, Zacshta Center. Additionally, FUNDESUMA and UNJLC have contributed to the design and development of the software and technical documentation. The following development agencies have contributed with financial support: the Swedish international development cooperation agency (SIDA), the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), the Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (OFDA/ISAID), the Division of Humanitarian Assistance, Peace and Security of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dutch Government.