As Florida begins recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton, the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) has launched relief efforts, urging logistics professionals to lend their expertise, equipment, and space to support disaster response.
Read also: ALAN Mobilizes for Hurricane Milton as Supply Chain Prepares for Another Major Storm
“The ability to get relief items stored, transported, organized, and delivered to disaster sites can be a game-changer,” said ALAN’s Executive Director Kathy Fulton.
Fulton expressed deep sympathy for those affected by the storm, which unleashed widespread destruction and tornadoes. “We mourn the loss of family members, pets, and homes. ALAN is already collaborating with non-profit partners to deliver aid where it’s needed most,” she said.
Earlier this week, ALAN received its first logistics assistance request related to Hurricane Milton. More requests are expected in the coming days and weeks, similar to the response following Hurricane Helene two weeks ago.
“During the initial 48 to 72 hours after a hurricane, search and rescue operations are the primary focus,” Fulton explained. “Humanitarian organizations begin requesting logistics support only after conducting damage assessments, which is when ALAN sees a surge in requests.”
Fulton encouraged logistics organizations eager to help not to get discouraged by early delays. “The need for logistics support may emerge days, months, or even longer after the disaster. Every contribution remains critical to delivering aid effectively.”
frequently in the weeks and months ahead. That’s where ALAN will post any unfilled requests it has – and where it currently features several open needs it has for Hurricane Helene and other ongoing disaster relief efforts.
“While logistics professionals may not be first responders, their role in delivering relief supplies is life-saving,” Fulton emphasized. “We’re grateful to be part of a community that steps up in the most challenging times.”
ALAN’s Ten Post-Hurricane Relief Takeaways
1. Don’t self-deploy to any of the active disaster sites. One of the best ways to be a part of the solution is to make sure you’re not part of the problem – and right now that means keeping working roadways clear for initial rescue and relief activities.
2. Expect your support to be needed sooner or later (or perhaps both). Disaster recovery is a long process that’s often measured in many months or years. So even if you don’t see an opportunity to assist with Hurricane Milton relief efforts at the moment, chances are good that ALAN and many other humanitarian organizations WILL need your help later on.
3. If any of your facilities are located in places where Hurricane Milton or its remnants hit, be sure to check in with your employees to ensure they are safe and sound. And if they have been affected, make helping them and their families your organization’s first priority. Few things are more meaningful than knowing that the people we work with (and for) have our backs.
4. Visit ALAN’s
Disaster Micro-Site frequently in the weeks and months ahead. It’s where ALAN will post all the open requests it receives for Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene assistance, including many critical ones that your organization might be able to help fill.
5. Offer specifics about any logistics space, equipment or services you might be willing to donate on ALAN’s pre-offer page at
https://www.alanaid.org/how-to-help/. Having information like this on hand dramatically accelerates ALAN’s ability to fill logistics requests, which is especially helpful during these early stages of disaster response.
6. Take the rest of this year’s hurricane season seriously even if previous storms have left your area unscathed. Each time an area successfully dodges a severe storm, it increases the risk that local residents will discount the seriousness of future storm advisories. Please don’t buy into this attitude. Always heed the warnings for your area and don’t ever assume they’re exaggerated. Your life and safety could depend on them.
7. Don’t host a product collection drive. Although the intention behind these collection drives is good, they often create more challenges than they solve, including adding more products and transits to supply chains that are already under tremendous strain.
8. Expand your circle of disaster preparedness partners – and your supply of disaster visibility resources. For example, if you haven’t done so already get to know some of the local non-profit groups and emergency management professionals in the communities where you have operations. In addition, be sure that you’re registered for ALAN’s free
Supply Chain Intelligence Center, where you can always access real-time information about various disasters and their supply chain impacts.
9. Revisit your organization’s hurricane preparation efforts. If there’s one thing that fast-intensifying storms like Hurricane Milton and Helene teach us it’s that some disasters don’t give us a lot of time to prepare. Use this time in between major storms to do a quick post-disaster assessment that will help you get better prepared for the rest of hurricane season. Then shore up your preparation efforts accordingly. A good place to start is
Ready.gov, which has many resources and tolls that you can share with your families and employees.
10. Consider supporting relief efforts with a financial contribution. When push comes to shove, few things are more useful to a humanitarian organization than a cash gift. Even a few spare dollars can make a positive impact, and every penny truly helps.
