Research Directions in Information Systems for Humanitarian Logistics

This article systematically reviews the literature on using IT (Information Technology) in humanitarian logistics focusing on disaster relief operations. We first discuss problems in humanitarian relief logistics. We then identify the stage and disaster type for each article as well as the article’s research methodology and research contribution. Finally, we identify potential future research directions

Emergency Resource Layout with Multiple Objectives under Complex Disaster Scenarios

Effective placement of emergency rescue resources, particularly with joint suppliers in complex disaster scenarios, is crucial for ensuring the reliability, efficiency, and quality of emergency rescue activities. However, limited research has considered the interaction between different disasters and material classification, which are highly vital to the emergency rescue. This study provides a novel and practical framework for reliable strategies of emergency rescue under complex disaster scenarios. The study employs a scenario-based approach to represent complex disasters, such as earthquakes, mudslides, floods, and their interactions. In optimizing the placement of emergency resources, the study considers government-owned suppliers, framework agreement suppliers, and existing suppliers collectively supporting emergency rescue materials. To determine the selection of joint suppliers and their corresponding optimal material quantities under complex disaster scenarios, the research proposes a multi-objective model that integrates cost, fairness, emergency efficiency, and uncertainty into a facility location problem. Finally, the study develops an NSGA-II-XGB algorithm to solve a disaster-prone province example and verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed multi-objective model and solution methods. The results show that the methodology proposed in this paper can greatly reduce emergency costs, rescue time, and the difference between demand and suppliers while maximizing the coverage of rescue resources. More importantly, it can optimize the scale of resources by determining the location and number of materials provided by joint suppliers for various kinds of disasters simultaneously. This research represents a promising step towards making informed configuration decisions in emergency rescue work

A humanitarian logistics framework for the Philippines: The case of Typhoon Haiyan

Logistics being used for humanitarian operations is known as humanitarian logistics. It is defined by Thomas (2003) as the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient, cost-effective flow and storage of goods and materials, as well as related information, from the point of origin to the point of consumption for the purpose of alleviating the suffering of vulnerable people. Logistics in the humanitarian aspect is vital; it plays a critical role during disaster relief operations. It bridges the gaps between the different stages of the operations. It is also crucial because the success and the time duration of the response of major humanitarian programs depend on how effective the logistics plan is. Logistics also help out in the collection of data for future references regarding emergency preparedness (Thomas, 2003)

Recent Trends and Innovations in Modelling City Logistics

AbstractThere are many challenges associated with moving goods within cities as urban areas become larger and elderly residents require more healthcare in their homes. Air quality is also impacted by urban freight vehicles. This paper presents a review of recent trends and innovations in modelling city logistics. New techniques for modelling city logistics developed in the areas of emissions, healthcare and mega-cities are outlined. This paper describes the formulation, solution methodologies and applications of these models

Relief distribution networks : a systematic review

In the last 20 years, Emergency Management has received increasing attention from the scientific community. Meanwhile, the study of relief distribution networks has become one of the most popular topics within the Emergency Management field. In fact, the number and variety of contributions devoted to the design or the management of relief distribution networks has exploded in the recent years, motivating the need for a structured and systematic analysis of the works on this specific topic. To this end, this paper presents a systematic review of contributions on relief distribution networks in response to disasters. Through a systematic and scientific methodology, it gathers and consolidates the published research works in a transparent and objective way. It pursues three goals. First, to conduct an up-to-date survey of the research in relief distribution networks focusing on the logistics aspects of the problem, which despite the number of previous reviews has been overlooked in the past. Second, to highlight the trends and the most promising challenges in the modeling and resolution approaches and, finally, to identify future research perspectives that need to be explored

Emergency logistics for wildfire suppression based on forecasted disaster evolution

This paper aims to develop a two-layer emergency logistics system with a single depot and multiple demand sites for wildfire suppression and disaster relief. For the first layer, a fire propagation model is first built using both the flame-igniting attributes of wildfires and the factors affecting wildfire propagation and patterns. Second, based on the forecasted propagation behavior, the emergency levels of fire sites in terms of demand on suppression resources are evaluated and prioritized. For the second layer, considering the prioritized fire sites, the corresponding resource allocation problem and vehicle routing problem (VRP) are investigated and addressed. The former is approached using a model that can minimize the total forest loss (from multiple sites) and suppression costs incurred accordingly. This model is constructed and solved using principles of calculus. To address the latter, a multi-objective VRP model is developed to minimize both the travel time and cost of the resource delivery vehicles. A heuristic algorithm is designed to provide the associated solutions of the VRP model. As a result, this paper provides useful insights into effective wildfire suppression by rationalizing resources regarding different fire propagation rates. The supporting models can also be generalized and tailored to tackle logistics resource optimization issues in dynamic operational environments, particularly those sharing the same feature of single supply and multiple demands in logistics planning and operations (e.g., allocation of ambulances and police forces). © 2017 The Author(s

Pandemic Preparation & Response: A Case Study Applying Kotter’s 8 Step Change Management Theory to Improve Pandemic Response in an Acute Care Setting

For healthcare CEOs and leaders, much time is spent planning and strategically assessing our organizations\u27 overall health and status. Planning cycles vary from 1 year to 5 years and, in some cases, 10-year plans. However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare leaders have been forced to pivot and embrace a sense of resilience. Today, we are leading and making decisions on a day-to-day basis and even hour-to-hour based on the uncertainty and needs of our organizations and communities we serve. The crisis of a pandemic requires leadership to act swiftly and with a cadence of assurance to all. We are learning in a time of crisis that some processes work, and others do not. Leaders must meet immediate needs and make changes to the status quo that drives the best results. Kotter’s change management model is an 8-step method for implementing change that can significantly improve operational processes. This case study will demonstrate how change management theory can set the framework and guidelines for a response to a pandemic event and hardwire into a new approach for rapid recovery of operations; thus, creating a standard set of guidelines to meet the demands of future pandemic events, which can assist health system leadership in the future

Tourism Business Resilience for Coastal Virginia Assessment Report

This report summarizes the results of the Tourism Business Resilience Project conducted by the Commonwealth Center for Recurrent Flooding Resiliency and Virginia Sea Grant. This project was a joint effort by faculty and students from the Old Dominion University Resilience Collaborative and the Virginia Coastal Policy Center at the William & Mary Law School

2016 NRPT: Natural Disaster Causing Technology Disasters in Mobile Bay Area

On June 8-9, 2016, the Coastal Response Research Center (CRRC)[1] and Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center (DRC) co-sponsored a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Regional Preparedness Training (NRPT) Workshop at the DRC’s facility in Mobile, AL. The workshop, titled “Natural Disaster Causing Technology Disasters in Mobile Bay Area”, focused on preparedness, planning, and improving response to an oil spill occurring during a natural disaster (e.g., flooding from a tropical storm) and explored the roles and responsibilities under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). [1] A list of acronyms is provided on Page 1 of this report