Using three-dimensional printing in a humanitarian context: challenges and solutions

Abstract

In any humanitarian context, be it the aftermath of a natural disaster or complex emergency or in a development operation, there is almost always a requirement for improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Unfortunately, however, the physical environment in which humanitarian logisticians operate frequently presents multiple challenges such as broken roads, destroyed bridges sometimes a less than totally supportive response from national customs authorities. Thus, for example, the lead time to replace a broken item of equipment that is not available locally can stretch into Weeks or even months. However, the emergence of three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology has the potential to mitigate these challenges by enabling the manufacture of a particular item of equipment such as a spare part or component at a location that is close to the area where it is needed. Since the early 2000s, the ways in which 3DP is being employ ed in a commercial context have expanded considerably but, to date, there has been relatively limited consideration of its application within a not-for-­profit/humanitarian context. This chapter describes how the potential for the use of 3DP was investigated with the assistance of the staff of a major international non-governmental organization (Oxfam GB), and the resulting management and organizational lessons that were identified are presented.