“To be a source of help for the Plan of Rescue” (An attribute of the Monasteries of Grace Mercy Order)
Humanity is facing many chaotic situations. The causes are multiple: economic, political and social instability; poor management of human undertakings; natural catastrophes, among other occurrences. The need for humanitarian help and help to the Kingdoms of Nature is immense.
The organization, management, and logistics of the processes of assistance are some of the countless challenges that present themselves in these circumstances. They are situations that demand a lot of precision so that the help to the affected beings may be efficient.
With this in mind, members of Fraternidade – International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF) participated in the course of extension in Humanitarian Logistics, held by the College of Technology (Fatec) of Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, on February 4 and 5, 2019.
The course touched on several topics: the concept and the history of humanitarian logistics; logistics in the face of the current probability of an increase of natural disasters and those caused by humans; management of donations and shelters. Humanitarian logistics deals with the organization, the management and the running of all processes involved in a certain context of humanitarian help. The stages of a disaster, from the contingency plan, going through the response, recovery, and mitigation of the event, were also studied.
Priscila Vasques, a member of Fraternidade, commented that “during the course, I noticed that humanitarian logistics is necessary not only for disasters, but it is also essential for other realities, as for example, the Communities-of-Light. This knowledge can help in the development of group life. And when we are prepared, even in the face of something unexpected, we are much readier to give an efficient response”.
The study and research about emergencies open doors for many paths, whether in humanitarian missions and other fields of action.