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Sustainable humanitarian operations: An integrated perspective

Author

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  • Charles J. Corbett
  • Alfonso J. Pedraza‐Martinez
  • Luk N. Van Wassenhove

Abstract

The immediate response to disasters, while well intended, sometimes causes avoidable humanitarian challenges later on. Drinking water may be essential, but it is not necessary to provide it in small plastic bottles. Injections may save lives, but inappropriately discarded syringes are hazardous. Can humanitarian relief be made more sustainable? This paper summarizes a 1‐day workshop on this topic, held at INSEAD in 2019 in connection with Luk Van Wassenhove's transition to emeritus professor. This workshop involved over 100 academics and practitioners. Five areas were discussed in detail: material convergence, coordination between humanitarian organizations (HOs), logistics, partnerships with industry, and health. The discussions demonstrate the possibility of better integrating sustainability with humanitarian operations despite the inherent tension between the immediate need to save lives and the longer term perspective associated with sustainability. This requires that various stakeholders, including HOs, donors, and watchdog organizations, think differently about the balance between short‐term and long‐term interventions, the metrics and incentives they apply, and the role of local versus global organizations. Leading practitioners and scholars in humanitarian operations are well aware of these challenges and opportunities in each domain separately; this paper aims to introduce these issues to a broader audience in a single more integrated overview, based on the themes that were discussed at the workshop.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles J. Corbett & Alfonso J. Pedraza‐Martinez & Luk N. Van Wassenhove, 2022. "Sustainable humanitarian operations: An integrated perspective," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(12), pages 4393-4406, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:popmgt:v:31:y:2022:i:12:p:4393-4406
    DOI: 10.1111/poms.13848
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Besiou & Alfonso J. Pedraza‐Martinez & Luk N. Van Wassenhove, 2021. "Humanitarian Operations and the UN Sustainable Development Goals," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(12), pages 4343-4355, December.
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    8. Iman Parsa & Mahyar Eftekhar & Charles J Corbett, 2022. "Does governance ease the overhead squeeze experienced by nonprofits?," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(8), pages 3288-3303, August.
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    14. Varun Karamshetty & Harwin De Vries & Luk N. Van Wassenhove & Sarah Dewilde & Warnyta Minnaard & Dennis Ongarora & Kennedy Abuga & Prashant Yadav, 2022. "Inventory Management Practices in Private Healthcare Facilities in Nairobi County," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(2), pages 828-846, February.
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    2. Rodríguez-Espíndola, Oscar & Ahmadi, Hossein & Gastélum-Chavira, Diego & Ahumada-Valenzuela, Omar & Chowdhury, Soumyadeb & Dey, Prasanta Kumar & Albores, Pavel, 2023. "Humanitarian logistics optimization models: An investigation of decision-maker involvement and directions to promote implementation," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).

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