A sustainability maturity assessment method for the humanitarian supply chain

Abstract : The Humanitarian Supply Chain(HSC) is key to successful relief operations. Today, HSC managers faces many challenges: (1) the increasing gap between funding and appeals; (2) donors ask for more transparency and accountability; (3) the growing pressure to switch to sustainable development. To maintain a competitive position (order winner) in the near future, considering sustainability becomes a fundamental addition to the established effectiveness and efficiency measures. In literature, the lack of Decision Support Systems for planning and achieving of sustainability objectives is described as barrier to sustainable humanitarian operations. We propose a sustainability maturity assessment method to improve the sustainability of HSC operations. Using the information gathered from field research with the IFRC as well as from the literature a proof of concept is presented to demonstrate the relevance of the proposal.