Supply chain risks in humanitarian relief operations: a case of Cyclone Idai relief efforts in Zimbabwe

Purpose – The rising threat of tropical cyclones in Zimbabwe is of great importance in establishing the general sources of humanitarian supply chain risks and assessing their negative impact on relief operations. There is a scarcity of studies that collate such evidence toward enhanced humanitarian...

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Main Authors: Felix Chari, Bethuel Sibongiseni Ngcamu, Cawe Novukela
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Emerald Publishing 2021-02-01
Series:Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JHLSCM-12-2019-0080/full/pdf
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author Felix Chari
Bethuel Sibongiseni Ngcamu
Cawe Novukela
author_facet Felix Chari
Bethuel Sibongiseni Ngcamu
Cawe Novukela
author_sort Felix Chari
collection DOAJ
description Purpose – The rising threat of tropical cyclones in Zimbabwe is of great importance in establishing the general sources of humanitarian supply chain risks and assessing their negative impact on relief operations. There is a scarcity of studies that collate such evidence toward enhanced humanitarian supply chains in Southern Africa. With this in mind, this study explored scattered evidence on supply chain risks in the delivery of humanitarian aid to victims of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe. Design/methodology/approach – This reflective study evaluates supply chain risks associated with Cyclone Idai humanitarian relief operations through qualitative in-depth interviews with relevant actors in the field. The data were triangulated with secondary information from associated publications, blogs and newspapers to reflect the truth about the phenomena under investigation. Findings – The results show that Cyclone Idai disaster response operations were adversely affected by social, economic and political/governmental risk factors. In the same breath, poor or inadequate infrastructure and environmental factors were also contributing factors toward the futility of humanitarian relief operations. Practical implications – This study is significant as it endeavors to contribute toward humanitarian supply chain management, specifically in assisting humanitarian organizations with suggested strategies that would work toward making humanitarian relief supply chains more resilient. However, more research needs to be done toward optimized implementation strategies for the suggested framework. Originality/value – It is to the best knowledge of these researchers that this is a unique study carried out to examine humanitarian supply chain risk factors in Cyclone Idai relief operations in Zimbabwe.
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spelling doaj-art-e6de9bc2a38b49a19cc372fe0744217f2025-08-20T02:12:06ZengEmerald PublishingJournal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management2042-67472021-02-01111294510.1108/JHLSCM-12-2019-0080Supply chain risks in humanitarian relief operations: a case of Cyclone Idai relief efforts in ZimbabweFelix Chari0Bethuel Sibongiseni Ngcamu1Cawe Novukela2Walter Sisulu University, East London, South AfricaNelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South AfricaWalter Sisulu University – Buffalo City Campus, East London, South AfricaPurpose – The rising threat of tropical cyclones in Zimbabwe is of great importance in establishing the general sources of humanitarian supply chain risks and assessing their negative impact on relief operations. There is a scarcity of studies that collate such evidence toward enhanced humanitarian supply chains in Southern Africa. With this in mind, this study explored scattered evidence on supply chain risks in the delivery of humanitarian aid to victims of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe. Design/methodology/approach – This reflective study evaluates supply chain risks associated with Cyclone Idai humanitarian relief operations through qualitative in-depth interviews with relevant actors in the field. The data were triangulated with secondary information from associated publications, blogs and newspapers to reflect the truth about the phenomena under investigation. Findings – The results show that Cyclone Idai disaster response operations were adversely affected by social, economic and political/governmental risk factors. In the same breath, poor or inadequate infrastructure and environmental factors were also contributing factors toward the futility of humanitarian relief operations. Practical implications – This study is significant as it endeavors to contribute toward humanitarian supply chain management, specifically in assisting humanitarian organizations with suggested strategies that would work toward making humanitarian relief supply chains more resilient. However, more research needs to be done toward optimized implementation strategies for the suggested framework. Originality/value – It is to the best knowledge of these researchers that this is a unique study carried out to examine humanitarian supply chain risk factors in Cyclone Idai relief operations in Zimbabwe.https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JHLSCM-12-2019-0080/full/pdfCycloneCyclone IdaiHumanitarianReliefDisaster risk managementSupply chain management
spellingShingle Felix Chari
Bethuel Sibongiseni Ngcamu
Cawe Novukela
Supply chain risks in humanitarian relief operations: a case of Cyclone Idai relief efforts in Zimbabwe
Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Cyclone
Cyclone Idai
Humanitarian
Relief
Disaster risk management
Supply chain management
title Supply chain risks in humanitarian relief operations: a case of Cyclone Idai relief efforts in Zimbabwe
title_full Supply chain risks in humanitarian relief operations: a case of Cyclone Idai relief efforts in Zimbabwe
title_fullStr Supply chain risks in humanitarian relief operations: a case of Cyclone Idai relief efforts in Zimbabwe
title_full_unstemmed Supply chain risks in humanitarian relief operations: a case of Cyclone Idai relief efforts in Zimbabwe
title_short Supply chain risks in humanitarian relief operations: a case of Cyclone Idai relief efforts in Zimbabwe
title_sort supply chain risks in humanitarian relief operations a case of cyclone idai relief efforts in zimbabwe
topic Cyclone
Cyclone Idai
Humanitarian
Relief
Disaster risk management
Supply chain management
url https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JHLSCM-12-2019-0080/full/pdf
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AT bethuelsibongiseningcamu supplychainrisksinhumanitarianreliefoperationsacaseofcycloneidaireliefeffortsinzimbabwe
AT cawenovukela supplychainrisksinhumanitarianreliefoperationsacaseofcycloneidaireliefeffortsinzimbabwe