Relief Supply Chain Research Articles

A Mathematical Model for the Relief Logistics in Humanitarian Supply Chain

Objective: The coordination of relief supply chain actions following a crisis is undeniable and necessitates proper management and appropriate resource allocation to affected areas, especially due to the increasing occurrence of natural disasters such as floods, storms, and destructive earthquakes. The aim of this study is to design an integrated humanitarian supply chain system, considering the relationships among various components of the rescue and relief supply chain. Methodology: This research innovates over previous studies by proposing a five-level model comprising suppliers, warehouses, distributors, affected areas, and shelters within the supply chain; it also includes the location of relief warehouses and support facilities with an integrated dynamic model. Two categories of decisions are considered: the first involves selecting locations for regional warehouses from candidate sites and the quantity of pre-stocked inventory in them, and the second involves designing the distribution network and relief items, determining the flow of goods within it. Findings: The first objective of this issue is to minimize the construction costs of regional warehouses in Tehran under various scenarios, and the second objective is to minimize the costs of supply, maintenance of goods in regional warehouses; minimize the costs of sending and maintaining goods in the central warehouse; minimize the costs related to sending goods to demand points, and minimize the costs related to leftover goods in each region at the end of each period. Conclusion: The results show that the designed model optimizes the logistics costs of relief and rescue.

Coordinated location-allocation of cruise ship emergency supplies under public health emergencies

<abstract> <p>For the rapid development of the cruise industry, the cruise disaster relief supply chain has attracted extensive attention, especially because COVID-19 cases on international cruise ships occurred. In this paper, we propose an idea of coordination layout for cruise ship emergency supplies, the problem optimized two objective functions of maximizing coverage satisfaction and minimizing the total cost, addressing the low efficiency of resource utilization at the same. By applying to cruise ship emergency supplies layout of Northeast Asia cruise port group system, using expert scoring method and AHP to evaluate cruise port security vulnerability. The NSGA-II algorithm is used to solve the multi-objective programming model. A numerical example shows that the optimization design model and method are valid and feasible, and the algorithm is efficient for solving the above collaborative location and allocation problem of sectional reserves, which can also offer a variety of decision-making options.</p> </abstract>

Making decisions for effective humanitarian actions: a conceptual framework for relief distribution

Responding to a disaster encompasses a myriad of humanitarian actions; the ultimate and crucial is immediate relief distribution. Making effective decisions in chaotic disaster environment is always complex and challenging. Decisions made here are heavily influenced by the decisions made in several related problem areas such as facility locations, relief supply chain, transportation, scheduling, and inventory management. While each of these problem areas has its own set of decision factors, several of these factors are also common in multiple problem areas. These common decision factors offer both an opportunity and a challenge. The challenge is to balance the relative importance of a factor that is common between one or more problem areas—one factor that is considered vital in one area may have a lower priority in another area. The opportunity here is to develop a common framework that can help all problem areas to work together to achieve the main objective of effectively distributing essential relief goods among affected people. While the literature has studied individual problem areas and their decision factors, an integrated view showing the linkages between multiple problem areas is missing. In this paper, we propose such an integrative framework. Based on a systematic review of the literature, we first identified problem areas that are linked to relief distribution and then identified the linkages between these areas. We synthesized the findings into a conceptual framework and validated it through a panel of experienced field experts who work in relief distribution. We framed our refined framework as an information ecosystem of humanitarian actions where relief distribution resides at the core. Such a conceptualization will not only enrich the in-depth understanding of humanitarian domain, but also offer insights for developing computer-based decision support systems for relief distribution.

Entropy in the ‘entrepot’: Examining the challenges of relief supply chains during COVID-19 pandemic relief item distribution operation-2020 in Uganda

Background: Distribution and management of relief supplies during hard times is seen as one of the key roles among governments in developing economies. Management of relief supply chains during a pandemic could be an uphill task that calls for an investigation. The present study focuses on the relief aid distribution of food items and face-masks during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda. It specifically examines the challenges faced by the relief supply chain. Methods: It was a case study of stakeholders involved in relief distribution and conducted through electronic and physical interviews. 20 electronic interviews were conducted through zoom and telephone calls while 20 physical interviews were conducted at the interviewees’ respective workplaces. Data were collected from January 2021 to March 2021. The method of data collection and analysis was qualitative. Data were thematically analyzed using Atlas ti. v7.57. Results: It was found that many challenges ranging from needs identification, procurement, warehousing, transportation, handling, beneficiary verification, and distribution inhibited the proper functioning of the relief items distribution supply chain. Other obstacles were the media and its increasing influence on supply activities. Also, politics coupled with the emergence of new actors and governance issues were identified as part of the study findings. Conclusions: The present study identified a number of challenges in relief aid distribution. Some of the challenges were internal to the relief supply chain, others were beyond the chain. The findings could inform leverage of a number of factors during relief item distribution in the next cycles.

Correction to: Dynamic collaborative optimization for disaster relief supply chains under information ambiguity

Correction to: Dynamic collaborative optimization for disaster relief supply chains under information ambiguity

Challenges to maintaining disaster relief supply chains in island communities: disaster preparedness and response in Honolulu, Hawai’i

Due to global warming and rising sea levels, Honolulu, Hawai’i—a city on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean—is becoming more vulnerable to climate disasters. This article utilizes a mixed-method approach to investigate the challenges of maintaining disaster relief supply chains in the face of the emerging risks to Honolulu. We conduct eighteen in-depth interviews with key emergency management stakeholders to understand current approaches to supply chain risk management. Based on the research, three main challenges influence disaster preparedness in Hawai’i. First, the physical location of the island and the spatial distribution of risk, assets, and capabilities supporting emergency relief present large, unusual constraints not found in other jurisdictions. Second, the challenges of supply chain management, planning, communications and coordination are exacerbated during disruptions and disaster events. Unlike other states, with neighboring, contiguous jurisdictions, there are severe limitations to mutual aid and assistance from outside sources. Third, our research has also identified cultural challenges associated with social, political, and economic development and change. Stronger institutional collaboration both within the state and beyond its boundaries are key to increased supply chain resilience and effective response and recovery from disasters. We conduct social network analysis focusing on measures of density, degree, betweenness, and centrality to better understand the status and gaps in institutional collaboration. The social network analysis reveals that the current levels of collaboration are relatively low with significant gaps between government agencies and the private sector, as well as limited vertical collaborations with respect to supply chain management between federal, state and local partners. There is a need for stronger leadership with deeper engagement across stakeholders. A pathway forward includes: (1) vulnerability analyses focused on private sector supply chain management and public sector transport hubs, networks, and facilities, (2) exercises and training on emergency supply chain management, and (3) longer-term actions to support sustainability, self-sufficiency, local production, and community resilience. Our research is relevant not just to Hawai’i and other island and isolated communities but also to communities threatened by supply chain disruptions.

Dynamic collaborative optimization for disaster relief supply chains under information ambiguity.

Large-scale disasters occur worldwide, with a continuing surge in the frequency and severity of disruptive events. Researchers have developed several optimization models to address the critical challenges of disaster relief supply chains (e.g., emergency material reserving and scheduling inefficiencies). However, most developed algorithms are proven to have low fault tolerance, which makes it difficult for disaster relief supply chain managers to obtain optimal solutions and meet the emergency distribution requirements within a limited time frame. Considering the uncertainty and ambiguity of disaster relief information and using Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Set (IT2TFS), this paper presents a collaborative optimization model based on an integrative emergency material supplier evaluation framework. The optimal emergency material suppliers are first selected using a multi-attribute group decision-making ranking method. Multi-objective fuzzy optimization is then run in three emergency phases: early -, mid-, and late-disaster relief stages. Focusing on a massive flash flood disaster event in Yunnan Province as a case study, a comprehensive numerical analysis tests and validates the developed model. The results revealed that the proposed optimization method can optimize emergency material planning while ensuring that reserve material safety inventory is always maintained at a reasonable level. The presented method suggests a fuzzy interval to prevent emergency materials’ safety inventory shortage and minimize continuous life/property losses in disaster-affected areas.

A new humanitarian relief logistic network for multi-objective optimization under stochastic programming.

Millions of affected people and thousands of victims are consequences of earthquakes, every year. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a proper preparedness and response planning. The objectives of this paper are i) minimizing the expected value of the total costs of relief supply chain, ii) minimizing the maximum number of unsatisfied demands for relief staff and iii) minimizing the total probability of unsuccessful evacuation in routes. In this paper, a scenario based stochastic multi-objective location-allocation-routing model is proposed for a real humanitarian relief logistics problem which focused on both pre- and post-disaster situations in presence of uncertainty. To cope with demand uncertainty, a simulation approach is used. The proposed model integrates these two phases simultaneously. Then, both strategic and operational decisions (pre-disaster and post-disaster), fairness in the evacuation, and relief item distribution including commodities and relief workers, victim evacuation including injured people, corpses and homeless people are also considered simultaneously in this paper. The presented model is solved utilizing the Epsilon-constraint method for small- and medium-scale problems and using three metaheuristic algorithms for the large-scale problem (case study). Empirical results illustrate that the model can be used to locate the shelters and relief distribution centers, determine appropriate routes and allocate resources in uncertain and real-life disaster situations.

A scenario-based collaborative problem for a relief supply chain during post-disaster under uncertain parameters: a real case study in Dorud

PurposeUnfortunately, the occurrence of natural disasters is inevitable all over the world. Hence, this paper aims to analyze a scenario-based collaborative problem in a relief supply chain (RSC), where nongovernmental organizations can participate in relief activities with governmental organizations. This study focuses on location-allocation, inventory management and distribution planning under uncertain demand, budget, transportation and holding costs where government and private distribution centers receive relief items from suppliers then send them to affected areas. The performance of the proposed model is surveyed in a real case study in Dorud.Design/methodology/approachThis paper develops a nonlinear mixed-integer programming model that seeks to maximize the coverage of demand points and minimize operating costs and traveled distance. The linear programming-metric technique and grasshopper optimization algorithm are applied to survey the model's applicability and efficiency.FindingsThis study compares noncollaborative and collaborative cases in terms of the number of applied distribution centers and RSC's goals, then demonstrates that the collaborative model not only improves the coverage of demand points but also minimizes cost and traveled distance. In fact, the presented approach helps governments efficiently surmount problems created after a disaster, notwithstanding existing uncertainties, by determining a strategic plan for collaboration with nongovernmental organizations for relief activities.Originality/valueRelief strategies considered in previous research have not been sufficiently examined from the perspective of collaboration of governmental and nongovernmental organizations and provided an approach to develop the coverage of affected areas and reducing costs and traveled distance despite various uncertainties. Hence, the authors aim to manage RSCs better by offering a mathematical model whose performance has been proved in a real case study.

Applying cross-efficiency evaluation methods for multi-objective emergency relief supply chain network model

Applying cross-efficiency evaluation methods for multi-objective emergency relief supply chain network model

An Integrated Production & Distribution model for the supply of relief kits in Flood Relief Supply Chains

An Integrated Production & Distribution model for the supply of relief kits in Flood Relief Supply Chains

Bidirectional option contract for prepositioning of relief supplies under demand uncertainty

The demand for relief supplies after a sudden disaster is uncertain and sometimes grows rapidly. Because of the uncertainty surrounding the demand, organisations dealing in relief management usually preposition relief supplies to reduce the impact of a disaster. However, with prepositioning, organisations face both overstocking and stockout risks. To reduce these risks, we introduce a bidirectional option contract (BOC) into a two-echelon relief supply chain consisting of a supplier and a humanitarian organisation (HO). We analyse the contract from the perspective of the HO and derive closed-form expressions for the prepositioning quantity and options quantity for the HO, considering uniform and exponential demand distributions of relief supplies. The condition for supply chain coordination between the supply chain members is derived. We compare the results of BOC with the benchmark wholesale price contract (WPC) to show the superiority of BOC. Finally, sensitivity analysis is performed to investigate the impact of model parameters and to determine the conditions under which the BOC is beneficial for both the HO and the supplier.

The Chinese system of government relief supplies: from the perspective of knowledge management

PurposePublic crisis often generates new knowledge that should be incorporated into a government’s macro-control to ensure the relief supply. From the perspective of public crisis knowledge management, the Chinese system of Government relief supplies can be considered as a special case of the knowledge system. This paper aims to investigate the supply and production mechanism of relief goods and explore the advantages of the Chinese system when a sudden public crisis occurs.Design/methodology/approachUnder the Chinese system, the authors construct a relief supply chain model consisting of the Chinese Government, one manufacturer and one supplier, where the supplier has no capital constraints. Given the demand for relief goods, the government purchases from the manufacturer with a guide price. Then, the manufacturer decides on its order quantity and offers a wholesale price to the supplier. The supplier has a random capacity and decides on the level of knowledge acquisition to improve its capacity.FindingsThe authors first obtain the analytical solution for the manufacturer to motivate a high level of knowledge acquisition from the supplier. Specifically, the manufacturer’s optimal order quantity is equal to the demand and the optimal wholesale price has a cost-plus form that reimburses the supplier for its production cost and knowledge-acquisition cost. Next, the authors derive the optimal guide price for the government, which should be set to subsidize the manufacturer with a proportion of the sourcing cost. Finally, the authors compare the Chinese system with the market mechanism where the supplier has capital constraints and confirm that the Chinese system is more beneficial to both the manufacturer and the government.Originality/valueQuantitative research on the Chinese system of Government relief supplies is difficult to be conducted. This paper provides feasible and practical methods to quantify the benefits of the Chinese system. The results reveal that the Chinese system is an effective mechanism of public crisis knowledge management, which can be helpful to the government’s policy-making in practice.

The healthcare supply chain network design with traceability: A novel algorithm

Both governments and health-related organizations must immediately act after a natural disaster happened, i.e., providing essential equipment and medicines to injured people as soon as possible and adequately. To achieve this goal, planning the distribution and the inventory of crucial items during a scenario of disasters, a relief supply chain network with four echelons, namely suppliers, warehouses, disaster locations, and medical centers, is designed. In this work, a bi-objective nonlinear mathematical model that follows two main concerns is proposed. First, we wish to minimize the supply chain costs in terms of both the traveling time between echelons and the inventory costs. Second, we are to maximize the number of undamaged items that demand points receive by employing the RFID technology. The multi-objective Vibration Damping Optimization (MOVDO) meta-heuristic algorithm is applied to solve the proposed problem. This algorithm's performance is compared with two other algorithms: Non-dominated Sorting Genetic (NSGA-II) and Non-Dominated Ranking Genetic (NRGA) algorithms. The analysis of the results confirms that MOVDO outperforms the other two algorithms.

Disaster relief supply chain design for personal protection equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic

The global epidemic caused by novel coronavirus continues to be a crisis in the world and a matter of concern. The way the epidemic has wreaked havoc on the international level has become difficult for the healthcare systems to supply adequately personal protection equipment for medical personnel all over the globe. In this paper, considering the COVID-19 outbreak, a multi-objective, multi-product, and multi-period model for the personal protection equipment demands satisfaction aiming to optimize total cost and shortage, simultaneously, is developed. The model is embedded with instances and validated by both modern and classic multi-objective metaheuristic algorithms. Moreover, the Taguchi method is exploited to set the metaheuristic into their best performances by finding their parameters’ optimum level. Furthermore, fifteen test examples are designed to prove the established PPE supply chain model and tuned algorithms’ applicability. Among the test examples, one is related to a real case study in Iran. Finally, metaheuristics are evaluated by a series of related metrics through different statistical analyses. It can be concluded from the obtained results that solution methods are practical and valuable to achieve the efficient shortage level and cost.

Supply chain resilience in mindful humanitarian aid organizations: the role of big data analytics

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the nomological network of associations between collective mindfulness and big data analytics in fostering resilient humanitarian relief supply chains.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conceptualize a research model grounded in literature and test the hypotheses using survey data collected from informants at humanitarian aid organizations in Africa and Europe.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that organizational mindfulness is key to enabling resilient humanitarian relief supply chains, as opposed to just big data analytics.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine organizational mindfulness and big data analytics in the context of humanitarian relief supply chains.

Withdrawn: Relief supply chain management using internet of things to address COVID-19 outbreak

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal

Pre-positioning strategies for relief supplies in a relief supply chain

It is vital to pre-position a certain amount of relief supplies at pre-disaster. But governments are often confronted with a dilemma of coordinating inventory cost and stock-out cost in pre-positioning relief supplies. Pre-positioning strategies for relief supplies depend on the natural characteristic of relief supplies and the most urgent needs at post-disaster. Therefore, we classify relief supplies by their natural characteristic and priority, and introduce an option contract into relief supplies pre-positioning system which consists of a single government and an agreement enterprise. Specially, a consumable and relatively urgent relief supplies pre-positioning (C-RUP) model and a non-consumable and urgent relief supplies pre-positioning (NC-UP) model are established. The optimal decisions of the government and the enterprise are derived, respectively. The relief supply chain coordination is achieved with the option contract. Under channel coordination, the two models can not only improve the government’s emergency ability and support capacity, but also reduce the government’s inventory risk when compared to the government single pre-positioning model. Moreover, we give out the conditions that the two sides can reach a win-win situation. Lastly, we propose important managerial insights for pre-positioning strategies related to different types of relief supplies.

Barriers to sustainability in humanitarian medical supply chains

Medical and pharmaceutical products (MPP) are critical elements in humanitarian relief efforts. Relief operations are often burdened with inappropriate and unusable MPP, which leads to the wastage of resources and causes harm to the environment. This study investigates MPP management and facilitates the adoption of sustainability practices in the humanitarian medical supply chain. The study identifies 20 potential barriers for sustainability and categorises them into six different issues (material, operational, logistics, human, funding, and exogenous). Fuzzy best-worst method and analytic network process methodologies were adopted to prioritise barriers according to their degree of influence. Findings from the study suggest that stakeholders should focus attention on the material, operations, and logistical issues. Poor compliance with the World Health Organisation guidelines is reported as the most significant barrier to sustainability. Long-term collaboration and promotion of cash-based donation are suggested as suitable alternatives to product donation. The key recommendations of the study are to sensitise donors and media regarding donation practices and disaster relief victim requirements, build local capacity, design coordination mechanisms, and develop a performance measurement system incorporating the triple bottom line of sustainability. The study outcome reveals connections between barriers to sustainability and sheds light on the socioenvironmental aspect of donations. The study lays a foundation for future research, exploring how to better enable sustainability in the relief supply chain.

Mitigation strategies for expiration in perishable emergency inventory system

Considering uncertainties in emergency demand quantity and occurrence time, allowance cooperation strategy and prosocial sale strategy are designed to mitigate expiration wastages for emergency perishable inventory system. Distribution-free newsboy models are developed for relief supply chain. For computational tractability, we derive upper bound of the expected total cost, then determine the applicable conditions of proposed strategies with pessimistic criterion. We offer a proof that the controversial sale strategy may be effective in both expiration mitigation and cost reduction, and elaborate an application framework and managerial insights of proposed strategies based on the type of emergency supplies and type of disasters.