In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) is working with its relief agency partners to identify crucial needs and communicate them to concerned members of the supply chain community.

"Damage assessments are still being completed, and needs evolve as the situation changes," said Jock Menzies, president of ALAN, a non-profit organization that engages the supply chain community in support of humanitarian relief efforts. "We are working with states and non-profits to locate warehouse space, transportation, material handling equipment, and logistics expertise to meet needs identified to date."

ALAN has already helped to coordinate a number of relief efforts, including:

• Transporting MREs destined for Turks and Caicos

• Coordinating office space for a disaster recovery operations center

• Securing donated forklifts for a disaster supply warehouse operation

"At this stage, the best way to help survivors is to respond to specific requests for support," Menzies said. "Cash can be used to procure the exact resources that the disaster response agencies need, without having to dedicate valuable resources to sorting, storage, and distribution activities."

Click here to make in-kind donations of needed supply-chain and logistics goods and services. A list of members of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and information regarding financial contributions and volunteering is available here.

Source: American Logistics Aid Network