Haiti Earthquake – Reaction from the INSEAD Humanitarian Research Group

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, one of the aftershocks facing the country is not seismic in nature, but concerns the operational challenges to distribute aid to those in need most effectively.

With 10 years of experience, INSEAD’s Humanitarian Research Group (HRG), part of the INSEAD Social Innovation Centre, works closely with many humanitarian organisations such as the International Federation of the Red Cross/ Red Crescent Societies, World Food Programme, World Vision International and Médecins San Frontières. By systematically studying the needs and experiences of these partner organisations, INSEAD HRG has obtained field knowledge of the issues affecting humanitarian logistics in responding to disasters. We use rigorous analytical methods to investigate these issues, develop solutions for decision making, and disseminate our knowledge to those working in and with the humanitarian sector.

“We are closely monitoring events in Haiti and have been in contact with many of our partners who are working there”, says Professor Luk Van Wassenhove, Director of the Social Innovation Centre and founder of INSEAD HRG. “It is already a country with a lot of poverty and weak infrastructure, so the logistical challenges faced by humanitarian organisations on the ground are great.” INSEAD HRG has studied the relief supply chain of previous responses to earthquakes including the Colombian earthquake in 1999, the Indian earthquake in 2001, the El Salvador earthquake in 2001, and the Indonesian earthquake in 2006. It is our hope that the learning from these events can help increase the capacity of organisations working in the difficult mission of aiding societies to cope in the aftermath of such disasters.

INSEAD HRG has also carried out extensive research on the role of the private sector in responding to disasters. Rolando Tomasini, INSEAD HRG’s manager says, “The development of partnerships between private and humanitarian organisations, such as TNT and WFP can go a long way to augment humanitarian organisations’ capacity to respond.”

The tragedy in Haiti has prompted a rapid international reaction and outpouring of aid. However the magnitude of the disaster combined with severe infrastructure, security and communication constraints, illustrates the crucial need to continue working on this topic; INSEAD HRG remains committed to this task.

To view INSEAD HRG’s reaction to the earthquake in Haiti, please refer to the below resources. INSEAD HRG will continue to track the situation over the coming weeks and will provide ongoing analysis of the relief operation.

INSEAD Knowledge Podcast Interview with Luk Van Wassenhove and Rolando Tomasini

Rolando Tomasini on newschannel, France24

About the INSEAD Humanitarian Research Group (HRG):
Founded in 2000, the mission of INSEAD HRG is to develop a science of humanitarian logistics which facilitates cross-learning between private companies and humanitarian organisations.

Field research based, INSEAD HRG has produced over 30 research articles and case studies which disseminated in specialised INSEAD HRG education programmes, refereed and practitioner journals, books, and academic and professional conferences. Since beginning its work in the humanitarian sector, HRG has seen and actively contributed to significant improvements in the logistics of humanitarian organisations. For example, INSEAD HRG has assisted in the development of partnerships between private and humanitarian organisations, such as TNT and WFP, to improve the delivery of aid to people in need. For more information on the work of INSEAD HRG, please go to: www.insead.edu/facultyresearch/centres/isic/humanitarian/.

About the INSEAD Social Innovation Centre:
The INSEAD Social Innovation Centre, an inclusive platform for cross-disciplinary research and engagement in the area of social innovation aims to: 1) conduct research that advances the theory and practice of social innovation; 2) inspire people by providing the tools needed to make a positive impact on society through business; and 3) facilitate collaboration and dialogue among faculty, students, alumni, executives, companies, NGOs and other academic institutions. The Centre covers research and events in the following sub-groups: Humanitarian Research, Healthcare Management Initiative, Sustainability, Africa Initiative, Social Entrepreneurship, and Corporate Social Responsibility & Ethics. For more information on the INSEAD Social Innovation Centre, please go to: www.insead.edu/isic.