Deprivation cost theory in humanitarian relief: A literature review and prospects

Sheng Zhong and Longsheng Wang

Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 2025, vol. 98, issue C

Abstract: The concept of deprivation cost, which directly quantifies human suffering, has been extensively applied in humanitarian relief operations across various disaster scenarios. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a novel context for the study of deprivation cost. The methodologies for applying deprivation cost may vary significantly across different scenarios, indicating a potential correspondence between the application methods and specific scenarios. To advance the development of deprivation cost theory and its application to biological disasters, this study systematically reviews 58 studies sourced from the Scopus and WoS databases, synthesizing diverse insights contributed by existing research on deprivation cost modeling methodologies. Drawing on various scenarios, the study examines the selections related to the characteristics of deprivation cost, functional forms, objective functions, assumptions, and calculation methods. Upon constructing the theoretical and applied framework, the study investigates the specific characteristics of deprivation cost research in biological disasters, concluding with suggestions for future research directions.

Keywords: Humanitarian relief; Deprivation cost; Biological disasters; Systematic literature review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:soceps:v:98:y:2025:i:c:s0038012125000175

DOI: 10.1016/j.seps.2025.102168

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