Frequently Asked
Questions

The project Logistics Support System main objective is to improve the management of humanitarian aid, by strengthening the national capacity to manage effectively the humanitarian supplies, bringing them to the affected people in an adequate and convenient way. For the creation of the LSS, three global meetings took place which were sponsored by WFP, OCHA, WHO and PAHO. At these meetings, more than 50 experts from the UN and NGOs defined the parameters of the tool.

• Processor Pentium III or better
• RAM 256MB or higher
• Mouse
• System Windows 2000 o XP
• Hard Disk 1000MB free space
• Printer (optional)

The first step is to train local human resources in-country about the organization and management of emergency supplies and the use of the LSS software to classify, sort out and assign priority levels. When a disaster strikes, these people will be able to install and operate the system at the different sites of supplies management. In cases of major disasters or in places where LSS is not established, an international team can provide help with the intention to train locals to take over the system management in a self-sufficient was in minimal time.

Entries

Entry is a record of supplies or items sent from one sender to one recipient, arriving at the same time and via the same mode of transport. The items may have been received on consignment to another location, or to this location, as a result of a purchase, or as a result of a donation from an external source. An entry may also have been transferred from another warehouse location.

Deliveries

Deliveries are shipments of items from stock and/or consignments to a specified location.

Pipeline

Pipeline is a list of items from the database that are pledged, promised, expected, or available to the warehouse or LSS location.

Request

A site can enter requests it receives from others for items that are needed. This information can then be used for planning and allocating the distribution of goods to those areas most in need.

Stock Basket

The stock basket allows you to group items together for reporting purposes. You can select to report on a specific group of items without having to individually select the items each time the report is run.

Importing/Exporting

The systems can export or import information between LSS sites, as well as incorporate information on stock or pipeline from external systems, likes CTS- Commodity tracking systems used by the UN agencies and mayor Ngo’s.

Those who can be trained include staff from national government entities responsible for emergency coordination, as well as those from public, private, non-governmental and other organizations involved in or related to emergency relief. In addition are members of the international community, such as international NGOs, UN agencies and bilateral agencies.

The promotion and coordination of LSS is achieved through country entities involved with emergencies and disasters, such as ministries of health, emergency committees, Red Cross affiliates, etc. Any institution interested in receiving training should contact the office in charge of disaster management in the national Ministry of Health or through the local PAHO/WHO office. The LSS system was designed with special regard to the participation of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs).

LSS facilitates data collection for easier decision-making. All the data entered and processed by the system are property of the affected country under the auspices of the authorities responsible for emergency management.