Project summary
In 2004, Transaid began working with Sarvodaya, Sri Lanka's biggest charity, to develop a Transport Management System that would enable it to improve the delivery of its wide ranging community development programme. Sarvodaya undertakes a broad range of activities, including community health, conflict resolution and water and sanitation in all Tamil and Singalese parts of the island, via a network of over 100 district offices. An internal transport assessment and initial transport management training had been completed when the tsunami intervened.
Following the tsunami, Transaid's input changed as there was an immediate need for help with the reconstruction effort, and two logisticians from corporate member Wincanton worked with the Sarvodaya team on a variety of issues including vehicle scheduling, sourcing of raw materials and contracting. Based on the Wincanton team's recommendations, truck manufacturer IVECO donated a new EuroTrakker six axle truck with training and a parts agreement which is now being used to move building materials for homes and children's playgrounds. In the longer term, Transaid aims to resume implementation of a Transport Management System to support all Sarvodaya's activities.
The problem
Immediately following the tsunami, Sarvodaya became heavily engaged in humanitarian emergency relief. They found themselves working on rescue and survival activities in the affected communities and on reconstruction, including the rebuilding of destroyed housing and facilities. Their transport needs prior to the tsunami were geared mainly around transporting people and light supplies using a fleet of cars, small pick ups, motorcycles and bicycles. A shift in focus towards physical reconstruction presented a quite different logistical challenge, and Sarvodaya asked Transaid to second industry volunteers to help them assess their transport needs and rationalise their planning and systems.
The process
Wincanton UK volunteers Sandy Hughen and Caroline Barber spent two weeks in Sri Lanka. They met with Sarvodaya's transport team and senior management team and visited affected districts and villages. Their task was to undertake an analysis of immediate and future transport needs, produce a plan for the cost effective acquisition and use of transport and make recommendations for training to ensure its safe and effective usage and management.
The result
As contamination by the tsunami rendered many wells unusable for up to a year, there was a great need to service static water tanks, and recommendations for the procurement and efficient use of water bowsers and alternative means of transporting water were made. Construction of new houses and toilets was found to be an absolute priority, and Caroline and Sandy recommended that Sarvodaya implement a central purchasing policy and separate the transport cost of sourcing raw materials to give them greater control. They also developed a cost benefit analysis model to allow Sarvodaya to make informed decisions about the available sourcing alternatives and transport methods, and produced guidelines for vehicle selection. On their return, IVECO were asked to supply a suitable vehicle for moving building materials and they donated a new EuroTrakker six axle truck with training and a parts agreement, which is now being used to move building materials for homes and children's playgrounds.
