page_title: Humanitarian Logistics
section_title: The process of humanitarian logistics
hierarchical_section_title: Humanitarian Logistics / The process of humanitarian logistics
caption_attribution_description: English: A
context_page_description: Although logistics has been mostly utilized in commercial supply chains, it is also an important tool in disaster relief operations. Humanitarian logistics is a branch of logistics which specializes in organizing the delivery and warehousing of supplies during natural disasters or complex emergencies to the affected area and people. However, this definition focuses only on the physical flow of goods to final destinations, and in reality, humanitarian logistics is far more complicated and includes forecasting and optimizing resources, managing inventory, and exchanging information.Thus, a good broader definition of humanitarian logistics is the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient, cost-effective flow and storage of goods and materials, as well as related information, from the point of origin to the point of consumption for the purpose of alleviating the suffering of vulnerable people.
  This figure presents numerous important aspects in humanitarian logistics, including transport, inventory management, infrastructure, and communications.
context_section_description: As can be seen in the above Figure, the process is complicated with the involvement of various actors in different locations. To be more specific, the process connects various actors, including, donors, local/international aid organizations, local governments, and beneficiaries. There are three fundamental flows in this process: the flow of material, the flow of money, and the flow of information.
  The flow of material:  the flow of products from donors to beneficiaries, including food, blankets, medicines, and water, and the reverse flow of returned products after disasters.
  The flow of information: includes demand forecasts, order transmissions, and order status reports, to ensure preparedness and communications.
  The flow of money: includes checks, cash, and payment documents such as Letters of credit, invoice, and commercial contracts.
caption: The process of humanitarian logistics[6]
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