EURO 2025 Leeds
Abstract Submission

1844. Enhancing Humanitarian Supply Chain Resilience: A Hybrid Simulation Approach to Managing Geopolitical and Economic Risks

Invited abstract in session TA-4: Journal of Simulation. Computer Modelling and Simulation, stream OR Journals.

Tuesday, 8:30-10:00
Room: Rupert Beckett LT

Authors (first author is the speaker)

1. Seyed Mojtaba Sajadi
Operations and Information Management, Aston University
2. SeyedMohammadReza Ayazi
Management, University of Tehran
3. Oscar Rodriguez-Espindola
Operations and Information Management, Aston University
4. Pavel Albores
Operations and Information Management, Aston Business School

Abstract

In an increasingly interconnected and volatile global environment, humanitarian organizations face mounting challenges due to geopolitical and economic risks. Conflicts such as the invasion of Ukraine and the crisis in Palestine have highlighted the vulnerabilities of supply chains, particularly those supporting humanitarian operations. This study examines the impact of political and economic disruptions on the supply chain performance of international charities.
A hybrid simulation model is developed to analyze the operational challenges faced by a humanitarian organization delivering aid across politically unstable regions. The model evaluates the effects of supply chain disruptions and explores strategies to enhance flexibility and resilience. By testing various scenarios, this research identifies optimal configurations for humanitarian supply chains to maintain service continuity under adverse conditions.
The key contributions of this study are threefold: (1) it introduces a simulation-based framework for analyzing humanitarian supply chain risks, (2) it investigates strategies to embed flexibility in humanitarian logistics, and (3) it evaluates the interplay between local and global supply dependencies in crisis-prone environments. The findings provide valuable insights for decision-makers in NGOs and humanitarian agencies, enabling more effective risk mitigation strategies in volatile geopolitical landscapes.

Keywords

Status: accepted

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