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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHumanitarian logistics in conflict and complex emergencies – Tamara Kirkwood-Wright<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The\nfocus of my research is to identify what localisation involves and how\neffective different elements of a localisation strategy will be when\nimplemented in settings of conflicts. Humanitarian logistics research in\nconflict settings is lacking and understanding of exactly what constitutes\nlocalisation is broad and vague in discussion. It is not feasible to develop a\nuniversal approach to conflict and so a mass shift to localisation cannot be\nthe only answer; every conflict is different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The\nearly 2020s have seen an exponential rise in global deaths resulting from\nconflict. Opening the 2023 session of the UN General Assembly, Secretary\nGeneral Guterres announced that we were witnessing \u2018a surge of conflict, coups,\nand chaos\u2019, evidenced by continued unrest in countries such as Ukraine,\nEthiopia, and Yemen, but also renewed and extreme violence in Gaza, Sudan, and\nMyanmar. The changing nature and increasing complexity of conflicts makes the\nchallenge of determining an appropriate response strategy far greater. We are\ncurrently observing a shift away from terrorism and towards state-based\nconflict, an increasing disregard for international humanitarian law and\ninternational human rights law, and a rise in the availability of weapons and\nnew technology making the context progressively more dangerous for civilians\nand humanitarians. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With\nthis rising trend in conflict, there is also growing dialogue on localisation.\nLocalisation is the involvement of local governments, organisations,\ncommunities, and individuals, in proximity to the disaster, in the design and\nimplementation of a humanitarian response. Since the Grand Bargain in 2016 and\nthe pledge for 25% direct funding to local actors, localisation has also been\nincorporated in initiatives such as the Charter for Change, the UN\u2019s\nSustainable Development Goals, the Pledge for Change, and the Agenda for\nHumanity. More recently the Covid-19 pandemic has reinvigorated interest in\nlocalisation following travel restrictions on people and the necessity for\nshortened supply chains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Localisation\noffers many benefits, not only in the immediate response to a conflict but in\ncreating a sustainable society through investment in local organisations\nand infrastructure, and the development of local capabilities. By far one of\nthe greatest advantages that the inclusion of local people brings is their\nnetwork of connections and access. Involving locals provides a rich\nunderstanding of the local culture and community dynamics enabling a greater\nlevel of trust between responders and those in need. Localisation also offers\nthe opportunity to improve the humanitarian sector\u2019s growing carbon footprint\nand a reduction operating costs through local sourcing and logistics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite these benefits and the concerted focus on increasing localisation, it\u2019s implementation by humanitarian organisations remains stilted. Aid funds are strained, and organisations often pursue one-size-fits-all response strategies which prioritise cost reduction but are not appropriate for the complex local dynamics present in conflict. This in part could be due to humanitarians (or even academics!) not having a clear understanding on what localisation entails or how to implement it. Transparency and clarity are therefore required because embracing and effectively implementing localisation is not just a choice; in conditions of conflict where it is feasible, it is an imperative step towards a more effective, sustainable, and empathetic humanitarian response amid escalating global conflicts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Circular economy and waste management in humanitarian logistics – Margot Rocheteau<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Humanitarian supply chains often face a tough\nchallenge in balancing immediate relief needs and long-term environmental\nsustainability. While the focus has traditionally been on providing urgent aid\nduring emergencies, recent years have shed light on the negative environmental\nimpacts of these operations. The problem stems from a disconnect between\nshort-term actions and the long-term consequences for the environment. This has\nled to a lack of consideration and investment in making humanitarian supply\nchains environmentally sustainable. The linear approach of these operations,\ncharacterized by a take-make-waste mindset, contributes to resource depletion\nand pollution. A potential solution lies in adopting a circular economy model,\nwhich aims to maximize resource value and minimize waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To highlight the importance of integrating\ncircular economy concepts, the project is divided into three sections:\nenvironmentally sustainable design, waste management, and the circular economy.\nThe first project is on waste management, an often-overlooked aspect,\nespecially at the end of the supply chain. Neglecting proper waste management\nnot only harms the environment but also disrupts relief operations and\nendangers ecosystems. The research aims to understand how closing the loop in\nhumanitarian supply chains can mitigate environmental impact and enhance their\nabilities during emergency responses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The research poses three key questions: What is\nthe interplay between sustainable design, waste management, and the circular\neconomy in humanitarian supply chains? How do humanitarian actors understand\nand interpret sustainable changes in their supply chains? What are the factors,\nstrategies, and barriers in setting and achieving sustainability goals in the\ncontext of humanitarian logistics?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The primary objective is to comprehend how circular\nhumanitarian supply chains can mitigate their environmental impact while\nimproving their effectiveness during emergency responses. This includes\nexamining the entire supply chain, from infrastructure design to waste\nmanagement during emergency responses, and exploring how the use of a third\nparty can help make sense of circular humanitarian supply chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By promoting sustainable solutions, the study\naims to enhance the efficiency and quality of humanitarian supply chains for\nvulnerable populations. The research will contribute to addressing the critical\nissue of environmentally sustainable supply chains in humanitarian relief and\nits impact on humanitarian operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The methodology involves three research papers. The first will focus on waste management, employing a mixed-methods approach to gather data from humanitarian organizations and cases in disrupted countries. The second paper will delve into the dynamics and challenges of integrating sustainable practices, emphasizing circular humanitarian supply chains and sensemaking theory. The third paper will investigate how raw material selection can promote environmentally sustainable designs, using a framework to evaluate the environmental impact in humanitarian supply chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those who have completed a university level Master’s degree can apply to Hanken for doctoral studies. Doctoral students (i.e., doctoral researchers, PhDs) may study for the degree Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration) or for the degree Doctor of Philosophy. You can read more about PhD studies on Hanken’s website.<\/a> Application round this year takes place: 1.12.2023 – 3.1.2024.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.hanken.fi\/scm-and-sr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2023\/12\/BLOG-BANNER3-1-1024x768.png\")
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