A disaster relief commodity supply chain network considering emergency relief volunteers: a case study

Abstract

PurposeThe number of natural and man-made disasters is remarkable and threatened human lives at the time of occurrence and also after that. Therefore, an efficient response following a disaster can eliminate or mitigate the adverse effects. This paper aims to help address those challenges related to humanitarian logistics by considering disaster network design under uncertainty and the management of emergency relief volunteers simultaneously.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, a robust fuzzy stochastic programming model is proposed for designing a relief commodity supply chain network in a disaster by considering emergency relief volunteers. To demonstrate the practicality of the proposed model, a case study is presented for the 22 districts of Tehran and solved by an exact method.FindingsThe results indicate that there are many parameters affecting the design of a relief commodity supply chain network in a disaster, and also many parameters should be controlled so that, the catastrophe is largely prevented and the lives of many people can be saved by sending the relief commodity on time.Practical implicationsThis model helps decision-makers and authorities to explore optimal location and allocation decisions without using complex optimization algorithms.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, employee workforce management models have not received adequate attention despite their role in relief and recovery efforts. Hence, the proposed model focuses on the problem of managing employees and designing a disaster logistics network simultaneously. The robust fuzzy stochastic programming method is applied for the first time for controlling the uncertainties in the design of humanitarian relief supply chains.

Humanitarian actions of a cultural center during the Covid-19 pandemic: an analogy with supply chain business processes

“…However, more and more BOs are engaging with HOs, valuing their social actions (Gossler et al, 2020). Vulnerable situations generate difficulties in dealing with survivors, assisting families, social needs and especially the lack of resources (Kebriyaii et al, 2021;Wamba, 2020). The movement of these resources to those in need characterizes many operations for those who led aid actions (Polater, 2021).…”

“…Implications related to this management include: the more rigorous the approach to determining service parameters, the higher the cost of the operation; having more information about the parameters of the event will reduce uncertainties as well as costs; when parameter uncertainties are taken into account, the excess cost is reduced; and proper preparation before the disaster (training, storage area, etc.) facilitates care and reduces costs (Kebriyaii et al, 2021). Thus, given the many implications, an HSC is characterized by the uncertainty of demand, limited information, irregular supply patterns, short deadlines and lack of resources (Ngwenya and Naude, 2016), depending, in most cases, on volunteers (individuals, companies, governments, associations, churches, etc.…”

“…, 2020). Vulnerable situations generate difficulties in dealing with survivors, assisting families, social needs and especially the lack of resources (Kebriyaii et al. , 2021; Wamba, 2020).…”

“…Implications related to this management include: the more rigorous the approach to determining service parameters, the higher the cost of the operation; having more information about the parameters of the event will reduce uncertainties as well as costs; when parameter uncertainties are taken into account, the excess cost is reduced; and proper preparation before the disaster (training, storage area, etc.) facilitates care and reduces costs (Kebriyaii et al. , 2021).…”

An optimization approach for disaster relief network design under uncertainty and disruption with sustainability considerations

“…Therefore, the TPs must be wisely located to transport the injured people at the minimum time and facilitate the relief operations. Due to the lack of resources, relief products, and transportation vehicles, a practical model should be extended and provided for the efficiency and effectiveness of the response operations by the relief chain in the occurrence of disasters [3,4].…”