Author(s): Jordan Patten, Abigail Little
Mentor(s): Christopher Mattson
Institution BYU
Effective disaster relief operations require rapid, coordinated decision making in order to optimize the placement of resources in a way that provides aid to the most vulnerable populations, prioritizing those with the greatest needs, and alleviating human suffering to the fullest extent possible. Advanced climate disaster modeling and access to population data support the creation of decision support tools that offer valuable insight in environments where uncertainty, complexity, and other variables must be considered. These models can enhance the ability to provide aid to victims of natural disasters. Our research aims to develop effective models that will minimize decision times and maximize benefit from utilized assets by using a mathematical model for social impact diffusion developed through network theory. Social impact diffusion and network theory calculate the effects of a resource across a network of individuals or communities over time, in effect determining ideal placement for said resources on a basis of highest relative benefit. The model draws population data from emergency response supply order forms, emergency planning guides, and disaster report forms collected by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which operates an extensive humanitarian program that spans the globe, partnering with organizations such as the Red Cross and Relief International. It offers immediate emergency assistance to victims of natural disasters by providing short-term, life-sustaining resources such as food, water, shelter, clothing, medical, and hygiene supplies that support disaster victims in their recovery. Using optical character recognition (OCR) software, such as Microsoft Azure, we extract information from these form that helps us identify vulnerabilities in the community and resources already present that help speed up disaster response. When coupled with calculations from the social impact diffusion model, this will provide decision makers with quantified impact predictions to assist in the implementation of effective resource distribution. This novel application of social impact diffusion theory advances resource allocation modeling and has the potential to reduce human suffering and property loss by optimizing resource use in relief operations.