Evaluation of Risks in Humanitarian Supply Chain and Their Inter-Dependence using ISM and MICMAC Analysis

Abstract

Risks affecting the effectiveness of humanitarian supply chains are a major issue. Which is why the need to understand and mitigate them is a necessity. The purpose of this study is 1) To understand the inter-relationship and interdependence of significant risks using the ISM methodology. 2) To create a structured framework for prioritising risks using the insights the rom ISM methodology. 3) To categorize the risks based on their driving power and dependence using MICMAC analysis. For the purpose of fulfilling the objectives, ISM and analysis were implemented. The result was an ISM framework prioritising the significant risks and a MICMAC diagraph categorising those risks. the models found that the risks of secondary natural hazards, infrastructure damage and insufficient staffing were among the risks with high driving power at the first level of ISM model and the risk of inadequate healthcare facilities is at level 8 of ism model, and with high dependence and very low driving power indicating that this risk is impacted most by the other risks. The study helps in understanding the interrelationships of the risks so that the decision makers can make more informed decisions. Since the study identifies which risks have high driving power, it helps in understanding the root cause of the problems. ISM and MICMAC provide a replicable framework for the risk analysis. This study was conducted with the help of group interviews, in which the possibility of one point of view dominating others is a possibility.  The existence of expert bias is a possibility.