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Frequently Asked
Questions

What is LSS?

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.

What is needed to install LSS Window Version?
  • Processor Pentium III or better
  • RAM 256MB or higher
  • Mouse
  • System Windows 2000 o XP
  • Hard Disk 1000MB free space
  • Printer (optional)
How is LSS organized and who operates it in a disaster

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.

LSS Main Functions/Entities

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.

Who can be trained?

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.

What is necessary to receive training?

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).

To whom belongs the information compiled by LSS?

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.

Has LSS been used in some emergencies?

  • 2008 Volcanic Eruption - Ecuador
    2007 Hurricane Felix - Nicaragua
    2007 Hurricane Dean - Peru
    2007 Floods - Mexico
    2007 Earthquake - Peru
    2006 Humanitarian Crisis - Lebanon
    2006 Floods -Suriname
    2006 Floods - Colombia
    2006 Floods - Bolivia
    2005 Tsunami - Indonesia
    2005 Trop. Storm Stan - Guatemala

  • 2005 Trop. Storm Stan - El Salvador
    2005 Floods - Panama
    2005 Earthquake - Pakistan
    2005 Floods - Costa Rica
    2004 Floods - Dominican Republic
    2004 Floods - Argentina
    2004 Urban Fire - Paraguay
    2004 Humanitarian Crisis - Haiti
    2003 Volcanic Eruption - Mexico
    2001 Earthquake - El Salvador
    1999 Volcanic Eruption - Ecuador

  • 1999 Floods - Venezuela
    1999 Earthquake  - Colombia
    1999 Complex Emerg. - East Timor
    1998 Hurricane Mitch - C. America
    1998 Hurricane George - Dominican Republic
    1998 Floods in Chiapas - México
    1998 El Niño - Peru and Ecuador
    1998 Earthquake - Bolivia
    1997 Earthquake Nazca - Peru
    1996 Hurricane Cesar - C. America
    1995 Hurricane Louis - Caribbean

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