Supply Chain Efficacy in Relief Delivery

Abstract

Supply chain efficacy in disaster relief operations is crucial as disaster in any form brings grief and suffering. It also leads to colossal losses for those effected. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the challenges faced by the supply chain during the handling of disaster relief operations, namely drought. Adopting mixed research method involving both qualitative and quantitative, the focus is on performance of the supply chain in an organisation and residents of one of the most affected constituencies as a case study. Findings reflect that inadequate financial resources, restrictions on transport and difficulties associated with planning for the initial relief requirements of a distressed community are the main challenges for supply chain effectiveness in distribution the relief material. The strategies proposed, and recommendation made could be useful in improved supply chain for the effective handling of drought relief distribution and putting systems in place to the area of study and could help to align procedures for disaster response and aid in relief strategies.