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Humanitarian and Relief Logistics pp 1–20Cite as

A Decision Support System for Humanitarian Network Design and Distribution Operations

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Part of the book series: Operations Research/Computer Science Interfaces Series ((ORCS,volume 54))

Abstract

In this paper, we model the situation faced by decision-makers in the first hours following a disaster when they have to deploy a humanitarian aid distribution network. This is done by first determining the number and the choice of depots to be opened and then by planning the distribution of humanitarian aid from these depots towards the affected people. We propose a decision support system (DSS) to help decision-makers in these tasks. The DSS is built around mathematical models that provide answers to the network design and distribution problems, and is completed by a multi-criteria analysis module. The DSS also provides a complete interface to display the problem’s geographic structure, including distribution routes and the location of network nodes.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Clearly, other classes/functions are possible. For example, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO 2001) and the US Government use a standard operational classification for donated relief supplies composed of 10 broad classes: medicines, health supplies/equipment, water and environmental health, food, shelter/electrical/construction, logistics/administration, human resources, personal needs/education, agriculture/livestock and unclassified.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Interuniversity Research Center on Enterprise Networks, Logistics and Transportation (CIRRELT), Québec, QC, Canada

    Monia Rekik, Angel Ruiz, Jacques Renaud & Djamel Berkoune

  2. Faculté des Sciences de l’administration, Laval University, 2325 rue de la Terrasse, G1V 0A6, Québec, QC, Canada

    Monia Rekik, Angel Ruiz & Jacques Renaud

  3. Fujitsu Consulting, Québec, QC, Canada

    Sébastien Paquet

Authors
  1. Monia Rekik
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  2. Angel Ruiz
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  3. Jacques Renaud
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  4. Djamel Berkoune
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  5. Sébastien Paquet
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jacques Renaud .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of FME, University of the Aegean, Chios, 82100, Greece

    Vasileios Zeimpekis

  2. , College of Business, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, N/A, Daytona Beach, 32114, Florida, USA

    Soumia Ichoua

  3. , Department of FME, University of the Aegean, Chios, 82100, Greece

    Ioannis Minis

Appendix A: Screen Shots of the Decision Support System

Appendix A: Screen Shots of the Decision Support System

figure a

After running the location module (models M1–M3), the system displays the open depots, the demand points as well as their level of demand satisfaction. Aggregated performance indicators are also displayed.

figure b

The system displays the solution provided by the distribution module, and we can select any route to retrieve its relevant information.

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Rekik, M., Ruiz, A., Renaud, J., Berkoune, D., Paquet, S. (2013). A Decision Support System for Humanitarian Network Design and Distribution Operations. In: Zeimpekis, V., Ichoua, S., Minis, I. (eds) Humanitarian and Relief Logistics. Operations Research/Computer Science Interfaces Series, vol 54. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7007-6_1

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