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A fuzzy multi-criteria approach based on Clarke and Wright savings algorithm for vehicle routing problem in humanitarian aid distribution
Natural disasters usually occur unexpectedly, causing loss of life and property. It is essential to quickly and effectively distribute aid materials to minimize the damage in the aftermath of a disaster. Aid organizations require decision-making mechanisms that provide hard data to make quick and accurate decisions during the distribution of aid materials. In this study, the delivery of aid materials to the victims of disasters is investigated as a vehicle routing problem. For this purpose, a new method is developed by integrating the interval type-2 fuzzy TOPSIS method with the Clarke and Wright savings algorithm. In this way, while determining the routes, different criteria specific to the problem could also be analyzed with the distance criterion. The proposed method is presented with a numerical example to show how it can be implemented in the humanitarian aid distribution problem. As a result of the numerical example, it is determined that the proposed method completed the delivery with 826 distance units in four rounds, and the classical Clarke and Wright savings algorithm completed the delivery at 820 distance units in four rounds. Although the proposed method provides a longer distance solution than the classical Clarke and Wright savings algorithm, it has the advantage of determining safer routes by taking into account the different risks that may arise during a disaster. Finally, well-known benchmark problems are solved using the proposed method.
Journal Article
Years of glory : Nelly Benatar and the pursuit of justice in wartime North Africa
\"Years of Glory offers a rich narrative and a deeper understanding of the complex currents that shaped Jewish, North African, and world history over the course of the Second World War. The traumas of genocide, the struggle for anti-colonial liberation, and the eventual Jewish exodus from Arab lands all take on new meaning when reflected through the interstices of Benatar's life. A courageous woman with a deep moral conscience and an iron will, Nelly Benatar helped to lay the groundwork for crucial postwar efforts to build a better world over Europe's ashes\"-- Publisher web site.
BOOK
Correlates of risk-taking behaviour and suicidality among humanitarian aid workers
In an era of high need for humanitarian assistance, humanitarian aid workers face increased exposure to potentially traumatic events and, correspondingly, a greater risk of psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], and burnout). Less studied among humanitarian workers, however, are other known correlates of trauma-exposure: complex PTSD, risk-taking behaviours, and suicidality. The current study examined levels of trauma exposure and rates of trauma-related mental health disorders, risk-taking behaviour, and levels of suicidality among a sample (N = 232) of humanitarian workers located across 52 countries. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine which demographic (i.e., sex, age, cadre, years working as an aid worker), psychological (i.e., social support, personality traits), and trauma-related (trauma exposure, complex posttraumatic stress disorder [CPTSD] symptoms, and dissociation) variables were uniquely associated with risk-taking behaviours and suicidality. Overall, 12.9 % (95 % CI = 8.5 %, 17.2 %) of humanitarian workers met the diagnostic requirements for PTSD, and 8.6 % (95 % CI = 5.0 %, 12.2 %) met requirements for CPTSD. Higher risk-taking behaviours were significantly associated with being male, an international worker, greater trauma exposure, extraversion, neuroticism, and CPTSD symptoms. Suicidality was significantly associated with being an international staff member and higher levels of dissociation. Results are consistent with previous studies citing a high risk of psychological distress among humanitarian workers. Humanitarian aid agencies have a duty of care to their workers - both professional and volunteer - and greater safeguarding measures are necessary to mitigate the risk to mental health brought on by humanitarian work-related stressors.
•High exposure to potentially traumatic events among humanitarian aid workers is associated with increased psychological distress.•Risk-taking behaviours are linked to being male, international staff status, trauma exposure, and specific personality traits.•Suicidality among humanitarian workers isassociated with international staff status and higher levels of dissociation.•The findings underscore the critical need for humanitarian aid agencies to safeguard the mental health of their staff and volunteers.
Journal Article
Translating impartiality into operations from a financial perspective: Uncertainties and solutions
Considering the drastic changes in the nature of conflicts, humanitarian organizations (HOs) and donors, investing more attention into impartiality is critical for HOs if they are to survive and improve the quality of their humanitarian activities. As one of the four fundamental humanitarian principles, impartiality has critical implications for humanitarian action in relation to three aspects: its symbolic meaning for humanitarian action, its procedural significance for humanitarian access, and its operational importance for needs assessments. This article analyzes how the practice of impartiality is challenged by the current humanitarian financing model from five angles: funding source, funding amount, funding allocation, financial management and funding categorization. To cope with these obstacles, we focus on the financial perspective and propose three suggestions for international HOs: first, digitally innovating the humanitarian financing model to ensure that overall humanitarian needs are covered; second, strengthening engagement with non-traditional donors such as the Gulf countries and China, with a focus on infrastructure; and third, developing a hybrid financing model, with case studies from UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Journal Article
Risk factors for clinical stages of COVID-19 amongst employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) worldwide over a period of 12 months
Background
Essential workers carry a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 mortality than individuals working in non-essential activities. Scientific studies on COVID-19 risk factors and clinical courses for humanitarian aid workers (HAW) specifically are lacking. The nature of their work brings HAW in proximity to various populations, therefore potentially exposing them to the virus. The objective of this study is to assess severity degrees of COVID-19 in relation to multiple risk factors in a cohort of HAW.
Methods
Retrospective cohort study of data collected by the Staff Health Unit of the International Committee of the Red Cross, over 12 months (February 2021 – January 2022). Prevalence of demographic and health risk factors and outcome events were calculated. Factors associated with disease severity were explored in univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Resulting OR were reported with 95%CI and p-values from Wald Test. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.
Results
We included 2377 patients. The mean age was 39.5y.o. Two thirds of the patients were males, and 3/4 were national staff. Most cases (3/4) were reported by three regions (Africa, Asia and Middle East). Over 95% of patients were either asymptomatic or presented mild symptoms, 9 died (CFR 0.38%). Fifty-two patients were hospitalised and 7 needed a medical evacuation outside the country of assignment. A minority (14.76%) of patients had at least one risk factor for severe disease; the most recorded one was high blood pressure (4.6%). Over 55% of cases occurred during the predominance of Delta Variant of Concern. All pre-existing risk factors were significantly associated with a moderate or higher severity of the disease (except pregnancy and immunosuppression).
Conclusions
We found strong epidemiological evidence of associations between comorbidities, old age, and the severity of COVID-19. Increased occupational risks of moderate to severe forms of COVID-19 do not only depend on workplace safety but also on social contacts and context.
Journal Article
Understanding leadership challenges faced by humanitarian aid workers: insights from the experiences of NNPHL training participants
This paper examines the self-reported leadership challenges experienced by humanitarian aid workers who participated in the National NGO Program on Humanitarian Leadership (NNPHL) Program. Data were drawn from NNPHL program participants describing leadership challenges they faced in their humanitarian work. Responses were analyzed qualitatively revealing 10 broad themes of leadership challenges: (1) organizational capacity and resource constraints, (2) managerial decision-making styles, (3) bureaucracy and external influence, (4) purpose, motivation, and influence, (5) coordination and cooperation, (6) trust and cohesion within teams, (7) staff well-being and burnout, (8) identity and diversity, (9) self-efficacy and confidence, (10) security. These findings were then situated in the broader literature on challenges identified in humanitarian aid contexts. Humanitarian aid workers offer valuable first-hand insights into the leadership challenges they face in their work. Understanding leadership challenges from the perspective of aid workers provides valuable insight that can be used to inform decision-making and policy development within humanitarian organizations. The findings can also help inform and shape the development of humanitarian training programs by tailoring humanitarian education curricula to address the challenges encountered by aid workers themselves.
Journal Article
Health problems and exposure to infectious risks in returning humanitarian aid workers
Abstract
Background
Humanitarian aid workers are exposed to deployment-related health threats. Identifying subgroups at a higher risk of infection in this diverse population could help optimize prevention.
Methods
We carried out a retrospective study based on anonymized data of humanitarian aid workers that visited our clinic for a post-deployment visit between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2021. We conducted a descriptive analysis of basic demographic data, self-reported risk exposure and health problems encountered during deployment extracted from a standard questionnaire.
Results
The questionnaire was administered to 1238 aid workers during 1529 post-deployment medical consultations. The median age was 37.2 years (IQR 31.7–44.3), and 718/1529 (47.0%) were female aid workers. The median duration of deployment was 6 months (IQR 3–12 months). Most deployments (1321/1529 (86.4%)) were for a medical organization and in Sub-Saharan Africa (73.2%). The most common risk exposures were contact with freshwater in schistosomiasis endemic regions (187/1308 (14.3%)), unprotected sexual contact with a person other than a regular partner (138/1529 (9.0%)), suspected rabies exposure (56/1529 (3.7%)) and accidental exposure to blood (44/1529 (2.9%)). Gastrointestinal problems (487/1529 (31.9%)), malaria (237/1529 (15.5%)) and respiratory tract infections (94/1529 (6,2%)) were the most encountered health problems. Fifteen volunteers (1%) were hospitalized during deployment and 19 (1.2%) repatriated due to health problems. Adherence to malaria chemoprophylaxis was poor, only taken according to the prescription in 355 out of 1225 (29.0%) of aid workers for whom prophylaxis was indicated.
Conclusion
Humanitarian aid workers deployed abroad encounter significant rates of health problems and report a high level of risk exposure during their deployment, with the risks being greatest among younger people, those deployed to rural areas, and those working for non-medical organizations. These findings help guide future pre-deployment consultations, to increase awareness and reduce risk behaviour during deployment, as well as focus on adherence to medical advice such as malaria chemoprophylaxis.
Journal Article