Mekelle፡ 06 August 2024 (Tigray Herald)
By Batseba Siefu
Balancing Urgent Aid and Long-Term Resilience in Humanitarian Supply Chains: Lessons from Sudan
Humanitarian Supply Chains (HSCs) play a critical role in addressing the immediate needs of vulnerable populations in conflict zones and disaster-stricken areas.
Humanitarian Supply Chains (HSCs) play a critical role in addressing the immediate needs of vulnerable populations in conflict zones and disaster-stricken areas. However, as recent experiences in Sudan demonstrate, the complexities of managing these supply chains go beyond just delivering aid. The challenge lies in balancing the urgent need for relief with the necessity of building long-term resilience, especially in fragile contexts where health systems and livelihoods are already under strain.
Sudan’s 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan: A Case Study
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, particularly the violence that escalated in 2023, has significantly impacted the country’s humanitarian response. The Sudan 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan was revised in May 2023 to increase the scale of assistance and protection activities. However, this revision also came with a heavy cost: the suspension of funding allocated for access to livelihoods, basic services, and the implementation of resilience solutions. As a result, the focus shifted primarily to immediate relief efforts, leaving long-term developmental needs unmet.
According to Elbukhari Ibrahim, Saulnier, and Blanchet (2024), by December 2023, more than 24 million people in Sudan were in need of humanitarian assistance, with over 70% of hospitals in conflict-affected states no longer operational and only 14% of health facilities in non-conflict states fully functional. The health system, once capable of adapting to war conditions through initiatives like home-based delivery support and telemedicine programs, is now severely strained. The lack of resources has made it difficult for tertiary facilities to meet the rising demand, particularly for specialized services in states hosting displaced populations.
The Impact of Short-Term Aid on Long-Term Health System Resilience
The situation in Sudan underscores a critical issue in humanitarian supply chains: the tension between providing immediate relief and investing in long-term resilience. Elbukhari Ibrahim, Saulnier, and Blanchet (2024) argue against the suspension of the aid. By diverting resources away from a health infrastructure that could have absorbed health needs and adapted to the war, the revised humanitarian response plan could weaken the country’s ability to respond to ongoing and future crises.
For instance, Elbukhari Ibrahim, Saulnier, and Blanchet (2024) note that the 2023 response plan mobilized US $11 billion, covering 43% of Sudan’s humanitarian needs, with over 60% allocated to relief items and operating costs. While these funds were crucial for addressing immediate needs, the lack of investment in long-term solutions has left the health system vulnerable. The suspension of funding for livelihoods, basic services, and resilience-building initiatives means that once the immediate crisis subsides, the underlying vulnerabilities that exacerbated the crisis in the first place will remain unaddressed.
Challenges in Humanitarian Supply Chains: Bureaucracy, Political Constraints, and Donor-Induced Limitations
There are also broader challenges in humanitarian supply chains that are common across various contexts. The involvement of multiple stakeholders—international agencies, military forces, local authorities, and NGOs—often leads to bureaucratic inefficiencies, communication breakdowns, and difficulties in collaboration (Oppenheim et al., 2001 as cited by Narayanan, A., & Altay, N. (2024)). These challenges are further compounded by political constraints and conflicts, which can disrupt supply routes and create barriers to access (Voordijk, 1999; Prater et al., 2001 as cited by Narayanan, A., & Altay, N. (2024)).
Corruption and bribery, as noted by Hechr and Morici (1993) as cited by Narayanan, A., & Altay, N. (2024), are also significant issues, diverting resources away from those who need them most. Additionally, donor-induced constraints often limit the flexibility of humanitarian organizations, forcing them to adhere to specific protocols or use designated suppliers, which may not always be the most efficient or effective options (Chomilier et al., 2003; Thomas & Kopczak, 2005 as cited by Narayanan, A., & Altay, N. (2024)).
The Need for Ambidextrous Humanitarian Organizations
In response to these challenges, Narayanan and Altay (2024) introduce the concept of ambidextrous humanitarian organizations—those that can balance the demands of immediate disaster relief with long-term developmental aid. Such organizations must navigate between two types of humanitarian supply chains: one designed for rapid disaster response and another focused on slower, more deliberate development aid.
The ability to adapt supply chain design according to the situation—being efficient during non-emergency periods and agile during crises—enables these organizations to respond effectively to varying demands. This system could also assist organizations and institutions in Sudan and could provide a solution rather than cutting funding. As the situation in Sudan demonstrates, there is a need for a more nuanced approach that does not completely dismiss funding for livelihoods, basic services, and resilience solutions, even during crises. While it is understandable to prioritize urgent, quick responses, long-term investments in national systems are crucial for building resilience and ensuring that aid efforts do not undermine the very systems they aim to support.
Conclusion
The experience of Sudan in 2023 highlights the complexities and challenges of managing humanitarian aid in conflict-affected regions. While the immediate focus on relief is essential, it is equally important to maintain investments in long-term resilience to ensure that health systems and other critical infrastructures can withstand future shocks. Ambidextrous humanitarian organizations that can balance these competing demands are better equipped to deliver effective aid while also contributing to the sustainable development of the communities they serve. As global humanitarian efforts continue to evolve, the lessons from Sudan should serve as a reminder of the importance of integrating short-term aid with long-term gains in humanitarian response strategies.
Source፡Modern Diplomacy
