Creating a framework for a humanitarian response capacity index

Abstract

Humanitarian logistics encapsulates all supply chain efforts in response to a disaster or emergency. Despite the increased focus on humanitarian supply chains, there is not a general method for measuring the supply chain response capacity. We propose a model for humanitarian response capacity based on the stock levels and supplier capacity of an organization. We evaluate the model using inventory stock level data from the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depots (UN HRD) and a combination of inventory stock level and supplier contracted replenishment time data from the New York City Office of Emergency Management (NYC OEM). Model results in response to four simulated disaster events graphically show the approximate number of people that can be served as well as the oscillations in capacity during the response and replenishment phases. Given the span from global (UN HRD) to municipal (NYC OEM) contexts, this response capacity model provides a framework for developing a more general index that can aid organizations in making important investment decisions in order to save lives with more efficient disaster response.