Alfonso J. Pedraza-Martinez

Transportation and vehicle fleet management in humanitarian logistics: challenges for future research

Transportation and vehicle fleet management in humanitarian logistics have characteristics virtually unexplored by OR researchers. We provide evidence-based insights into the logistics challenges imposed by the dual objective of relief and development, decentralization, earmarked funding, and field operating conditions. We comment on why these characteristics help explaining the persistence of aging fleets, excessive fleet sizes, low fleet standardization, and service delays: problems humanitarian fleet managers fight on a daily basis to improve their service levels. We propose avenues for future research to address strategic, tactical, and operational challenges derived from the defining characteristics of humanitarian logistics discussed in the paper.

On the use of evidence in humanitarian logistics research.

This paper presents the reflections of the authors on the differences between the language and the approach of practitioners and academics to humanitarian logistics problems. Based on a long-term project on fleet management in the humanitarian sector, involving both large international humanitarian organisations and academics, it discusses how differences in language and approach to such problems may create a lacuna that impedes trust. In addition, the paper provides insights into how academic research evidence adapted to practitioner language can be used to bridge the gap. When it is communicated appropriately, evidence strengthens trust between practitioners and academics, which is critical for long-term projects. Once practitioners understand the main trade-offs included in academic research, they can supply valuable feedback to motivate new academic research. Novel research problems promote innovation in the use of traditional academic methods, which should result in a win-win situation: relevant solutions for practice and advances in academic knowledge.

Multi-criteria optimization for last mile distribution of disaster relief aid: Test cases and applications

Abstract Humanitarian organizations transport large quantities of aid for distribution in the aftermath of disasters. Transportation for last mile distribution includes multiple, and often conflicting, performance criteria that include time (deprivation), cost, coverage, equity and security. We build a compromise programming model for multi-criteria optimization in humanitarian last mile distribution. Regarding security, ours is the first multi-criteria model able to produce an actual vehicle schedule while forcing vehicles to form convoys in humanitarian operations research. We illustrate the multi-criteria optimization using a realistic test case based on the Pakistan floods, 2010. We standardize and share this case as well as cases based on the Niger famine, 2005 and the Haiti earthquake, 2010. By sharing test cases, we encourage basic scientific tasks such as replicability and model comparison within the humanitarian operations research community.

OR applied to humanitarian operations

Abstract The humanitarian caseload is growing rapidly while funds are declining. The sector clearly will have to do more with less. Optimizing constrained resources is the strength of OR. Our discipline can strongly support humanitarian practitioners provided it works on pressing real problems and translates its research into easily implementable tools whose effectiveness can be verified. This Special Issue gathers a very rich and varied collection of papers along those principles. It clearly shows the value of OR and the many exciting research problems in this important area of humanitarian operations.

On the Use of Information in Humanitarian Operations

Obtaining reliable information for decision-making to prepare and respond to disasters is difficult. Governments and humanitarian organizations often have to plan complex disaster responses based on forecasts or without having reliable field assessments. Decision aid models can help governments and humanitarian organizations by improving their forecasts during disaster preparedness and by facilitating data collection during field assessments in disaster response. Decision aid models can also facilitate collaboration and coordination between different parties involved in disaster management. This book is an academic study of decision aid models for disaster management.