Critical success factors for emergency relief logistics

This paper discusses the basis of work undertaken to determine and analyse the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) necessary for ensuring that emergency relief logistics are both appropriate and effective. The paper identifies, firstly, the factors which are most important to Humanitarian Aid and Emergency Relief organisations in providing an effective response in crisis situations and, secondly, the variables which contribute to the effectiveness of each. From desk and field research, the extent to which CSFs are recognised and understood within aid agencies is assessed. The analysis demonstrates how such factors can assist agencies in developing improvements in both strategy and response, and it contributes more generally to the development of an assessment tool for Humanitarian Aid supply chains. This research into CSFs in emergency relief logistics is currently at the survey stage, focusing on Taiwanese agencies’ response to crises.