Assessment of logistics needs and supplies

The purpose of the evaluation of the logistics and supply needs is to determine as closely as possible the following:

• What are the needs generated by a disastrous event for the affected population?
• What capacities are available locally?
• What supplementary requirements are required to meet those needs?

This evaluation must be an integral part of the general evaluation process that takes place in the disaster area to determine the type and extent of the damage and the most urgent areas of intervention. The quality of this valuation is extremely important, since requests for supplies will be made from the situation identified in the field of operations.

However, it must be reaffirmed that evaluation should not be a paralyzing activity. Although it is the instrument that allows confirming which sectors have been affected and determining more specific quantitative and qualitative aspects of the assistance required, it does not mean that the most urgent assistance actions can not be initiated until the entire evaluation process has been completed.

From the perspective of supplies, evaluations should contain elements to determine the following aspects:

• Needs assessment:
a. Needs of the population
b. Needs for operations

• Capacity assessment:
a. Local infrastructure capacity
b. Local availability of resources

• Restriction or facilitation measures