The Fritz Institute and Wageningen University & Research addressed the question of where humanitarian logistics is headed in the future  at the «ConnectChains – The Humanitarian Supply Chain Conference» in Berlin. According to them, AI is likely to become a key driver for supply chain management in the humanitarian sector.

  S. de Leeuw, M. Mizushima

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly improve humanitarian logistics. This is  the key finding of the new study "The Future of Humanitarian Logistics," conducted by the Fritz Institute  (California) and Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands) in collaboration with the  Logistics Hall of Fame. The results were presented on December 4th during "ConnectChains – The Humanitarian Supply Chain Conference ," which took place at the Bertelsmann Representative Office in Berlin .

Across organizations

The study, which  surveyed 75 supply chain experts from humanitarian organizations and commercial companies, concludes that cross-industry andcross-organizational collaboration on AI-driven supply chain solutions  would bring the greatest benefit to humanitarian operations.

“The experts surveyed agreed that pooling expertise from different  industries and organizations can accelerate innovation in practice, reduce duplication of effort  and strengthen global aid logistics projects,” said the study’s author, Professor Sander de Leeuw  of Wageningen University & Research.

Photos: S. Gabsch / LHOF

The respondents identified four key areas where AI-supported collaboration could have the greatest impact:

• Demand forecasting in crisis situations: Specifically, this involves predicting rapidly  changing needs for food, accommodation, medical supplies, and  logistics capacity.

• Optimization of route planning and distribution: This involves increasing efficiency in  transport networks, last-mile delivery, and resource allocation.

• Real-time transparency and data exchange: This aims at developing interoperable systems to improve coordination between humanitarian actors and authorities.

• AI-supported preparedness and scenario planning: This is all about the use of data-driven  models for risk assessment, crisis simulation and emergency preparedness.

Based on these results, the study partners plan to form an international,  cross-sectoral project group. "The international team will develop practical solutions and strategic partnerships," says Mitsuko Mizushima from the Fritz Institute.

Change as an opportunity for a new beginning

Conference chair Thilo Jörgl emphasized the timeliness of the initiative: “The entire humanitarian  aid system is undergoing profound change. The recent cuts by the US government  – ​​particularly those affecting USAID programs – have  led to considerable uncertainty. Many describe this transformation as a humanitarian reboot thatcould dwarf the scale of the UN reforms of the past two decades.”

The third edition of "ConnectChains – The Humanitarian Supply Chain Conference" attracted nearly 100  international logistics and supply chain experts, including representatives from humanitarian organizations  such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Order of St. John, the Order of Malta, Oxfam UK, UNHCR, and  Welthungerhilfe, as well as high-ranking representatives from Chapman Freeborn, DHL, duisport, Loxxess, and Siemens.

More information about the conference