When disaster strikes, there is no time for complex logistics and long turnaround times. The need is now and the need is immense.
Amazon Australia already has four disaster relief hubs strategically located around Australia, allowing the giant retailer and its NGO partners to respond within hours. However there’s always been a need for another center closer to Adelaide.
New disaster relief hub brings new hope
Amazon opened its new disaster relief hub in Adelaide last week. It has more than 16,500 essential supplies available at any given time. This can be delivered to those affected by natural disasters across South Australia and the Northern Territory.
The retailer says with the dedicated Adelaide hub, Amazon Australia and its non-profit partners can deliver critical emergency relief items to communities much faster.
What’s in the relief bag?
Amazon uses data from its partners to identify what items the community might need in a disaster.
“Teams of Amazon employee volunteers pack kits ahead of time with essentials like tarps, sleeping bags, personal hygiene supplies, clean up items and first aid kits, which are stored in the hub ready to be distributed in an emergency,” said Amazon in a statement.
Logistics to deliver relief
Amazon’s non-profit partners usually pick up the relief items and deliver it directly to the affected communities. In other instances where the need is much bigger, Amazon ships directly into the disaster zones as required.
Once the critical items are dispatched, Amazon Australia works with the NGO relief partners on the ground to determine if there is any other need for further supplies, which can then be packed and delivered much faster.
Never off-guard
Amazon stores more than 200,000 items across its network. This is to ensure there is no delay in response time when disaster hits.
The items are strategically stored in disaster relief hubs located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and now Adelaide.
The items have been sourced and purchased from Amazon Australia’s small and medium business selling partners.
Volume of disasters is increasing
South Australia and Northern Territory are facing more frequent devastating weather events than in the past. “The top end of the Northern Territory is susceptible to frequent tropical cyclones and flood events. Cyclone season is approaching in early November. Spring and summer in South Australia also often brings an increase in extreme storms and bushfires across the state. It puts even more pressure on response agencies,” said Amazon.
Anthony Perizzolo, Amazon Australia’s General Manager of Delivery Services and Supply Chain, said: “We know South Australia and the Northern Territory experience extreme weather events and natural disasters, particularly cyclones, storms, bushfires and floods. Should the worst occur and a natural disaster strike, we have more than 16,500 items pre-positioned in our Adelaide Disaster Relief Hub, ready to be delivered to affected communities within 72 hours. As devastating weather events and natural disasters increasingly batter communities around Australia, this fast response time is critical to supporting them in the aftermath of a disaster.”
About the author
Mia is a multi-award-winning journalist. She has more than 14 years of experience in mainstream media. She's covered many historic moments that happened in Africa and internationally. She has a strong focus on human interest stories, to bring her readers and viewers closer to the topics at hand.
