RAPID Collaborative Research: Identification of Key Dynamics for Optimal Distribution and Sustainable Partnership in Haitian Disaster Recovery

2010年1月12日，距离海地首都太子港仅10英里的地方发生了里氏7.0级地震，该快速反应研究（Rapid）项目将确定在海地灾后恢复中最优分配和可持续伙伴关系的关键动力。这项研究将在军事部队撤离和从国际反应向海地主导的恢复过渡所产生的独特条件下进行。在这段时间内的观察可以深入了解过去困扰大规模反应的许多机构间问题。通过查明有效的机构间伙伴关系的关键特点，并通过观察这些伙伴关系在建立期间和紧张状态下的实际利用情况，关于动态伙伴关系形成的知识体系有可能得到极大的发展和扩大。在海地访问期间收集的数据包括来自应急管理人员和响应人员的见解。使用自然主义的数据收集方法，将由一名知识渊博的研究人员在一个活跃的分发组织中收集有关援助获取、运输和分发效率的定量和定性数据。通过关注地方-国际伙伴关系的动态及其有效性，本研究将从收集的数据分析中确定初步结果，并将激励未来的研究，旨在开发动态条件下组织动态、分布地点和运输方法的准确模型。收集到的信息将为未来在美国和世界各地的应对行动提供实用和可检验的见解。最近在智利发生的地震和正在进行的类似地震灾害的准备工作（例如美国的新马德里地震带）激发了对本研究可以提供的组织间动力学的更多理解的需求。

This Grant for Rapid Response Research (RAPID) project will identify the key dynamics for optimal distribution and sustainable partnership in Haitian disaster recovery following the tragic 7.0 magnitude earthquake which struck just 10 miles from the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince on January 12th, 2010. This study will be conducted during the military troop withdrawal and the unique conditions propagated by the transition from international response to Haitian-led recovery. Observations during this time period can provide insight into many of the inter-agency problems that have plagued large-scale responses in the past. The body of knowledge on dynamic partnership formation has the potential to be greatly advanced and expanded through the identification of key characteristics in effective inter-agency partnerships and through observation of the practical utilization of these partnerships during formation and under strain.Data to be collected during the Haitian visit includes insight from emergency managers and responders. Using naturalistic data collection methods, quantitative and qualitative data on the efficiency of aid acquisition, transportation, and distribution will be collected using a knowledgeable researcher embedded within an active distribution organization. By focusing on the dynamics of local-international partnerships and their efficacy, this study will identify initial results from analysis of the collected data and will motivate future studies aimed at developing accurate models for organizational dynamics, distribution locations, and transport methodology under dynamic conditions. The information gathered will provide practical and testable insight into future response operations across the United States and around the world. The recent earthquake in Chile and ongoing preparation for similar earthquake disasters (e.g. the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the US) motivate the need for the increased understanding of inter-organizational dynamics which this study can provide.