Humanitarian Food Logistics: An Inventory Model for World Food Program (WFP) Operations in Boko Haram-Controlled Areas

Abstract

This paper examines the critical inventory management situation for the World Food Program (WFP) under the stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists. However, inventory management under such a manmade disaster and the arduous task required additional costs of transportation services for the foodstuff to the various destinations that had to involve military assistance as a backup with a significant increase in holding/carrying costs and the ordering cost. The safety of the humanitarian workers (WFP) and the foodstuff consignment are paramount. Considering this scenario, an attempt has been made to formulate an inventory model for foodstuffs with a constant deterioration rate and seasonal demand rate to optimize the performance of the World Food Program's relief supply chain.