Logistics relief helps Sandy survivors

   The American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) is supporting Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and emergency management agencies across the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
   ALAN has engaged numerous private industry and logistics services companies to help meet the needs of these disaster relief organizations.
   Currently, relief agencies are posting urgent needs on the ALAN portal. These include requests for food, transportation, water, and warehouse space. Businesses seeking to provide help can log onto the portal, view posted requests, and make offers of support.
   To help the relief and recovery effort, last week ALAN was able to secure:

• A van and driver provided by CEVA Logistics to transport consumable medical supplies in New York City for the New York Hospital Association. 
• Transportation provided by UPS for cleanup kits from Louisiana and Utah to the Bronx, N.Y. for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. 
• Situational awareness to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Business Emergency Operations Center on fuel, transportation impacts, and needs in the most severely affected areas. 
• Sources for high-capacity pumps to counteract severe flooding in New York and New Jersey. 
• Options for a major food donation to support the VOAD community. 
• A $10,000 grant from Food Shippers of America to send logistics volunteers to work with relief groups in New York and New Jersey. 

   “It is gratifying to see the ‘whole community’ relationships between the business, nonprofit, and government emergency response communities paying dividends for those in such dire circumstances,” said ALAN President Jock Menzies in a statement.
   On Saturday, a DHL Express helicopter took flight on the first of many relief flights, bringing critical supplies to the most hurricane-stricken areas of Staten Island and Baldwin Harbor, N.Y.
   East End Helicopter, a partner of DHL Express, has been purchasing and storing bottled water, baby diapers, warm clothing, shoes and other supplies for storm victims at its hangar in Long Island, N.Y. The supplies were donated by local businesses and citizens as well as 9-1-1 Veterans of Long Island. DHL Express provided the aviation fuel which resulted in the delivery of nearly 12,000 pounds of critical supplies to those in the most devastated areas of New York. The relief flights will continue on Monday, the company said.