A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HUMANITARIAN RELIEF SUPPLY CHAIN IN PAKISTAN’S CONTEXT

Abstract

Disasters such as floods, cyclones, and drought along with the episodes of terrorism are the various types of natural and man-made catastrophes that occur in Pakistan with different intensities and frequencies. These disasters affect human lives as well as livestock and the infrastructure of the country as a whole. However, Pakistan is most likely to experience earthquakes as it lies on the seismic belt. In this research, I have studied history of earthquakes, assessment of Pakistan’s vulnerability to earthquakes and learning lessons from the past disasters. National Disaster Management Authority – NDMA is primarily responsible for the rescue and relief operations after a disaster hits an area, where as Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority – ERRA deals with the post-disaster long-term process of rehabilitation and sustainable recovery. This research is qualitative in nature and is aimed at analysing the effectiveness of humanitarian relief supply chain in the context of Awaran Earthquake that struck the south-western part of Baluchistan in September 2013. In addition to that, I have evaluated the organizational structure of the disaster relief organization. Towards the end of my research, I have identified the problems encountered by the victims as well as the disaster relief organizations after a few major earthquakes changed the topography of the regions. I have recommended strategic actions to prevent those problems to occur in the future.