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Providing Disaster Relief Assistance Through Logistics

In this episode we talk to Kathy, executive director of the American Logistics Aid Network, an organization that provides supply chain assistance to disaster relief organizations and other non-profits. Kathy has worked in the supply chain and IT industry for 20 years and joined ALAN in 2010 when she took an interest in supply chain and emergency management, and started working on efficient coordination of logistics activities during disasters.

The logistics industry is instrumental to disaster relief - over 60% of spending goes into logistics. Making sure people have shelter, food and water is much more complicated than it seems. Logistics experts can provide their expertise and knowledge in order to do good, and this in turn can save a huge amount of money; Kathy uses an example where an NGO saved over a quarter of a million dollars just from 15 hours of work from a logistics expert.

The most inspiring part of Kathy’s journey has been the opportunity to see the good that companies do during disaster. Disasters are happening all the time, and although this is painful to experience, peoples’ desire to do good and be a part of something positive stands out. Anyone who works in the supply chain and logistics industry has a huge opportunity to save lives and make an impact, just by offering expertise. Kathy hopes to keep serving ALAN and provide better tools for businesses and NGOs to collaborate during disasters.

In this episode we discuss: 

• Kathy’s journey to success
• The American Logistics Aid Network
• Why the logistics industry is so instrumental to disaster relief
• Advice as a woman working in the supply chain industry
• How to get involved with disaster relief
• The most important piece of advice for the next generation
• What is next for Kathy and ALAN Aid

Resources and links mentioned:

• American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN Aid)