Collation of best practices for preparedness: lessons from disasters in Pakistan and Japan

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to compare the humanitarian supply chains and logistics of two countries in earthquake preparedness by modifying and using a previously established preparedness evaluation framework. Design/methodology/approach: A European flood emergency management system (FEMS) is a seven-dimensional framework to assess a country’s preparedness for flood emergencies. The FEMS framework was modified to apply to earthquakes. Leveraging a multiple explanatory case study approach with data analysis, the authors reconstructed the events of the earthquakes in Pakistan (2005) and Japan (2011) with an applied grading (1–5). Findings were evaluated within the adopted FEMS framework. From a practitioner’s perspective, the framework is applicable and can accelerate support in the field. Findings: Pakistan lacked emergency plans before the 2005 earthquake. In contrast, Japan possessed emergency plans before the disaster, helping minimise casualties. Overall, Japan demonstrated considerably better emergency management effectiveness. However, both countries significantly lacked the distribution of responsibilities among actors. Originality/value: Practical factors in the humanitarian supply chain are well understood. However, synthesising individual factors into a comprehensive framework is difficult, which the study solves by applying and adopting the FEMS framework to earthquakes. The developed framework allows practitioners a structured baseline for prioritising measures in the field. Furthermore, this study exemplifies the usefulness of cross-hazard research within emergency management and preparedness in a real-world scenario.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JHLSCM-07-2022-0086
Divisions: College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > School of Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering > Engineering Systems and Supply Chain Management
Funding Information: Following the disaster, the local governments received financial support from the national government, and the latter shortly established a Reconstruction Agency and headquarters for Emergency Disaster Response. The JCG and JSDF, along with other governme
Additional Information: Copyright © Jonas Schwarz, Valentina Kascel, Muhammad Azmat and Sebastian Kummer. Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at https://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
Uncontrolled Keywords: Disaster events,Earthquake Japan 2011,Earthquake Pakistan 2005,Emergency management,Humanitarian logistics,Preparedness,Disaster Relief,Management Information Systems
Publication ISSN: 2042-6755
Last Modified: 25 Apr 2024 07:24
Date Deposited: 16 May 2023 16:35
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: https://www.eme ... -0086/full/html (Publisher URL)
http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2023-07-14
Published Online Date: 2023-03-31
Accepted Date: 2023-02-22
Authors: Schwarz, Jonas
Kascel, Valentina
Azmat, Muhammad (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-8894-3737)
Kummer, Sebastian

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