Investigation of Material Convergence in the September 2013 Colorado Floods

Material convergence represents the flow of in-kind donations, specifically supplies and equipment, which travels to an area in the aftermath of a disaster. Unfortunately, unsolicited low-priority or nonpriority donations can disrupt the ability of responders to effectively manage items that arrive, thereby impeding the distribution of high-priority items to those affected by the disaster. Previous literature has emphasized the enormity of this problem and identified the necessity of addressing it. With this issue in mind, therefore, a series of interviews was conducted in the aftermath of the September 2013 flooding in Colorado to determine the extent and impact of material convergence on the relief efforts for this particular disaster event. The results of the case study show that relief organizations observed material convergence to be less of an issue in this particular event than in previous disasters. To better understand this result and to provide support for helping to improve future response and relief efforts, practices and methods that were considered to have contributed to reducing material convergence during these particular flooding relief efforts are discussed.