Abstract
This paper presents a generalization of a previously defined lexicographical dynamic flow model based on multi-objective optimization for solving the multi-commodity aid distribution problem in the aftermath of a catastrophe. The model considers distribution of the two major commodities of food and medicine, and seven different objectives, and the model can easily be changed to include more commodities in addition to other and different priorities between the objectives. The first level in the model is to maximize the amount of aid distributed under the given constraints. Keeping the optimal result from the first level, the second level can be solved considering objectives such as the cost of the operation, the time of the operation, the equity of distribution for each type of humanitarian aid, the priority of the designated nodes, the minimum arc reliability, and the global reliability of the route. The model is tested on a recent case study based on the Hagibis typhoon disaster in Japan in 2019. The paper presents a solution for the distribution problem and provides a driving schedule for vehicles for delivering the commodities from depots to the regional centers in need for humanitarian aid.
Highlights
The tasks related to humanitarian logistics are a combination of logistics and humanitarian relief, focusing on maintaining health, life, and living conditions
They deal with transportation, storage, and transshipment, as well as the management of humanitarian aid focusing on logistics services and logistics costs
The World Heritage Encyclopedia defines humanitarian logistics as a branch of logistics that specializes in organizing the delivery and storage of supplies during natural disasters or complex emergencies to the affected area and people [2]
Summary
The tasks related to humanitarian logistics are a combination of logistics and humanitarian relief, focusing on maintaining health, life, and living conditions They deal with transportation, storage, and transshipment, as well as the management of humanitarian aid focusing on logistics services and logistics costs. The logistics services objective ensures that aid is delivered to the people most in need as quickly and reliable as possible, while the logistics costs objective ensures the best possible service within a limited budget for the humanitarian relief [1]. Humanitarian logistics have their own specific challenges and difficulties depending on the type, location, and degree of disaster. Brigades are sent to the area for managing the delivery of food and organize rescue teams
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