A Multi-Objective Dynamic Resource Allocation Model for Search and Rescue and First Aid Tasks in Disaster Response by Employing Volunteers

Emine Nisa Kapukaya and Sule Itir Satoglu ()
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Emine Nisa Kapukaya: Industrial Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul 34367, Turkey
Sule Itir Satoglu: Industrial Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul 34367, Turkey

Logistics, 2025, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-30

Abstract: Background : Each disaster has its specific resource requirements, varying based on its size, location, and the affected region’s socio-economic level. Pre-disaster planning and post-disaster dynamic resource allocation including material and human resources is essential. Methods : To address the resource allocation challenges in disaster response, a multi-objective two-stage stochastic programming model is developed for search and rescue and first aid activities. The model aims to minimize the total unmet human demand, the number of resources transferred between regions, and the total unmet material demand. The proposed model was solved for a real case of an expected earthquake in Istanbul’s Kartal district. The augmented epsilon constraint 2 algorithm was employed using the CPLEX solver. A sensitivity analysis was made. Results : Most of the unmet demand occurs in the first period. After that period, the unmet demand decreases with interregional transfers and additional resources. The model is robust to scenario probability and penalty value changes in the objectives. Conclusions : This is the first study that simultaneously and dynamically allocates renewable and non-renewable material resources and human resources, including the official rescue units and volunteers, for disaster response. Volunteers’ inclusion in teams considering their training and quitting behavior are unique aspects of the study.

Keywords: humanitarian aid; disaster; multi-objective optimization; resource allocation; stochastic programming; volunteer management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L8 L80 L81 L86 L87 L9 L90 L91 L92 L93 L98 L99 M1 M10 M11 M16 M19 R4 R40 R41 R49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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