Mission Supplies A UK-based company with 'a keen desire to help those who are working overseas obtain the items they need to carry out their work, both effectively and efficiently.' Their clients range from large aid agencies like Oxfam to individuals working overseas who might need some spare parts. Their website is an interesting experience in and of itself. Certainly worth the visit.

http://www.missionsupplies.co.uk/

MapAction [Jan 11 06 Lime Farm Cottage, Little Missenden, Buckinghamshire UK]--A UK-based charity that provides rapid response mapping services in disaster areas and development programmes. "MapAction specialises in the mapping of disaster areas and supplying geographical information for humanitarian relief operations. Using the latest geographical information system (GIS) technology we aim to produce instant, real-time maps of a disaster - such as an earthquake or flooding - and then provide the information to other NGOs and government agencies in the field. By continually updating the maps, our team of expert volunteers working on the ground in the disaster area aim to relieve the burden on emergency workers in the crucial first hours and days of a humanitarian crisis so that they can get on with the job of saving lives and alleviating suffering more efficiently." www.mapaction.org

Fritz Institute [Jan 12 06 San Francisco CA]--Fritz Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing complex operational challenges in the delivery of humanitarian aid to people and communities in need worldwide. We work to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of the humanitarian sector by collaborating with the corporate sector and academic community to leverage best practices, technology, and resources that can be used by all humanitarian organizations. Fritz Institute was founded in 2002 by Mr. Lynn Fritz, a social entrepreneur and philanthropist, who recognized that effective front-line humanitarian operations must be supported by strong back room capabilities: effective operational processes, efficient uses of technology, objective performance metrics, and institutionalized learning across the humanitarian sector. Mr. Fritz is the former chairman and CEO of Fritz Companies, a Fortune 1000 global logistics corporation. www.fritzinstitute.org

SUMA Humanitarian Supply Management System [Jan 12 06 San Jose Costa Rica]--When a major disaster strikes a country, local and international communities respond with an outpouring of assistance. Disaster managers must be prepared to receive large quantities of unsolicited donations that may not meet the needs of the affected population. The process of sorting through tons of supplies and ensuring that urgently needed items reach the disaster victims can overwhelm relief workers. SUMA, the Supply Management System from the PAHO/WHO, is an information management tool that helps national authorities to make order of the chaos often caused by uncoordinated humanitarian assistance. SUMA uses simple software to track items from the moment donors commit to sending supplies until they are distributed effectively to the affected population.

 www.disaster-info.net/SUMA/index.html