Post-disaster relief distribution using a two phase bounded heuristic approach

Abstract

Relief logistics distribution to disaster affected areas is crucial that needs quick and effective action. Logistics distribution through an efficient method is essential for easing the impact of the disaster in the affected areas. Disaster is non-deterministic, highly composite and uncertain in nature, therefore, the relief logistics distribution becomes a challenging task. Relief items can be distributed either from a single node or from multiple distributed nodes. Resources available at distributed nodes are not utilized when only single node logistics distribution is used. This paper presents a two-phase bounded heuristic approach for logistics distribution as a response to the post-disaster relief operation. The proposed approach is focused on two major objectives: minimization of unmet demand and travel distance. Simulated disaster scenario is synthesized as a case study for the distribution of relief items. The results indicate that the proposed approach is effective in logistic scheduling. It improves the relief logistics distribution systems in the disasters affected areas by utilizing the resources available at distributed nodes hence leads to decline in unmet demands level with minimum travel time.