An Investigation on the Post Disaster Humanitarian Logistics Response for Relief Aid Provision by World Food Programme in Zimbabwe

Abstract

In the Art of War, Sun Tzu (1772) observes that “the line between order and disorder lies in logistics”. The logistics response to the Asian tsunami in December 2004 reveals the fragility and inadequacy of the logistics processes. High volatility is part of complex situation, but other factors from external actor can increase this complexity; poor mandates in agencies, inadequate capacity in aid provision, or even weak diplomacy may lead to failure. From this point, specialists have highlighted the little extent given to logistics activities within the relief response. The tsunami failures imposed the international community to review its priorities such as strengthening professional staffing and supporting strategic partnerships and local available expertise. Agencies need to clarify who is to coordinate disaster response and recovery. Eventually, logistics is a bridge that allows the transition between emergency and development programs, and links the entire supply chain. This link cannot be ignored by the actors of this particular supply chain because by establishing a long-term process logistics will ensure local development and sustainability. This dissertation is on an investigation on the post disaster humanitarian logistics response for relief aid provision by World Food Programme in Zimbabwe. This research seeks to establish major logistical activities that affect post humanitarian logistics response at World Food Programme in Zimbabwe, to establish the supply chain practices used in disaster management by World Food Programme in Zimbabwe, to determine the relationship between supply chain practices and disaster response among humanitarian organizations in Zimbabwe, to identify factors that influences the post disaster humanitarian logistics response at World Food Programme in Zimbabwe and to suggest strategies that can improve post disaster humanitarian logistics response by World Food Programme in Zimbabwe.