The American Logistics Aid Network has launched its fourth annual Humanitarian Logistics Survey, aiming to take a closer look at how disaster relief efforts are actually working on the ground.

The survey, which runs through May 31, is open to nonprofits, government agencies, logistics providers, and businesses. Its goal is to better understand how organizations are working together and where gaps remain, especially as many groups face uncertainty about government funding.

“Our fourth annual survey will serve as a critical temperature check for the disaster relief ecosystem,” said Kathy Fulton. “At a time when many members of the U.S. disaster response community are facing uncertainty about whether they’ll receive continued government funding (and how they’ll fill gaps if they don’t), it’s more important than ever to get a firm grasp of how cross-sector logistics collaboration is happening and how it can be improved.”

The survey builds on findings from previous years, which showed that many disaster-focused organizations are still operating in a reactive mode. Limited funding and ongoing challenges around cost, speed, and availability continue to make it harder to deliver aid quickly and efficiently.

ALAN says those insights have already shaped its recent work. That includes expanding its nonprofit logistics education programs and launching new “Logistics Ready” initiatives aimed at improving preparedness before disasters hit.

Launched in 2023, the annual survey is part of a largereffort to improve how aid is distributed before, during, and after disasters. It also examines what motivates private-sector companies to contribute funding, services, and logistical support to relief efforts.

By gathering input from across the supply chain, ALAN hopes to identify ways to improve coordination and make disaster response more effective, especially at a time when resources are tight and demand is growing.

“These and other annual survey insights have dramatically shaped ALAN’s latest work – including the creation of many new resilience activities, an expansion of our non-profit logistics education initiatives and the launch of our Logistics Ready programs,” Fulton added.