Exam 3: Supply Chain Sustainability and Humanitarian Logistics

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Humanitarian logistics is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, cost- effective flow of materials and resources from donors to vulnerable and displaced people, with the objective of alleviating human suffering.

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First, many disaster relief supply chains exist for only short times. At the onset of a disaster, the supply chain could require a new design that takes into account the unique characteristics of the location, size of affected populations, and severity of the needs. Relief is all about speed and agility
in delivering the right items. Creative approaches might be encouraged because the priority is quick access. Later, recovery operations must use a more scheduled approach, favouring an efficient supply chain design.
Second, for large- scale disasters, the United Nations typically has a leadership role. Disaster relief agencies work to supply the items and services they have access to. However, the national and local government of the affected region must be recognized and included in decision making. Sometimes the national government will not grant access to the area for political reasons. In other words, critical supplies may not be deployed as soon as they are available because of national or local roadblocks. And even when deployed, security for the shipment of supplies, as well as relief personnel, can be difficult to maintain because of looting and theft.
Third, donor agencies often respond independently, with little coordination. In essence, many disaster relief agencies have the best of intentions to help relieve pain and suffering,
and send what they think is needed. However, the lack of inter- organizational communication and sharing can result in confusion, congestion, and overstocking of some items in some areas, while other critical supplies experience shortages.
Fourth, during the response, supplies are initially sent without waiting for demand to be accurately determined. This ""push"" flow of supplies makes sense during this start- up time, because the need far outstrips available supplies. However, once relief operations shift into recovery, actual needs must be more carefully matched to the volume of supplies, and the supply chains should switch to a ""pull"" flow.
Fifth, because disasters often cause major damage to the infrastructure such as roads, ports, railways, and airports, the movement of needed supplies is severely restricted and hampered. Lines of communications, such as telephone lines and mobile phone services, are limited at best. Initially, high- cost, low- volume logistics are necessary because they are the only options. For example, helicopters can transfer supplies from ships at sea to inland areas. However, infrastructure needs to be improved rapidly to enable higher volumes of relief supplies to be moved more efficiently.