ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the evolution through the typical supply chain activities found in a humanitarian response effort. In Living Supply Chains, Kate Hughes, with John Gattorna, developed the notion of two categories of 'dynamic' flexibility in contemporary supply chains such as the 'business event' and the 'emergency response or humanitarian' fully flexible supply chains. The aim for each humanitarian supply response which is for it to be dismantled over time as business and community activities is re-established. Research in operations and supply chain analysis has tended to focus on identifying one type of supply chain that will adequately capture the characteristics of humanitarian supply chains. In fact, the aim of any humanitarian supply chain is that it is ultimately dismantled and businesses and community activities re-established. The phases in the humanitarian supply chain are: the emergency response; survival and rebuilding and restoration.
