Logistics and supply chain executives meeting today announced the formation of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN), a new network to assist relief agencies in providing humanitarian aid, including goods and services, in the preparation for and response to a disaster. Responding to last year's hurricanes in the gulf and tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the group announced its mission at the annual conference of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) held in San Antonio.

According to PR Newswire, the American Logistics Aid Network is a collaborative association combining members of the leading trade associations representing all phases of the logistics and supply chain industries. The humanitarian effort was initiated at last year's CSCMP annual conference in San Diego. Together, ALAN will be able to call on the combined resources of thousands of companies across the country to assist in the preparation of individuals required by relief agencies prior to their volunteer involvement during a disaster, development of supply chain processes needed to effectively respond, as well as assisting agencies in the collection, routing, and delivery of much-needed supplies to a disaster area.

"ALAN's mission is to unite the supply chain community to support and assist humanitarian relief efforts," said Mark Richards, one of the founding members of the new initiative and vice president of Associated Warehouses in Los Angeles. He added that the group has been working on the initiative for the past year and is moving forward with a campaign to enlist the support of additional private corporations, industry associations, and individuals.

Rick Blasgen, president and CEO of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals said, "We're the rail, truck, air, logistics, warehousing, material handling, and supply chain services that can mobilize quickly to help deliver critical aid and supplies in the event of a disaster."