Human-Centered Shelter Selection: A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Framework for Post-Disaster Response

This study presents an enhanced multi-criteria decision-making framework for ranking emergency shelters, addressing the unique needs of displaced persons beyond mere survival. By defining comprehensive criteria in collaboration with the Emergency Management Organization, the model ensures a holistic approach to shelter selection. The study applies these criteria to a case study in Manitoba, Canada, utilizing an improved Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) model integrated with entropy-based methods for precise, unbiased weight calculations. This enhancement increases reliability compared to conventional TOPSIS models. The involvement of field experts bridges the gap between theoretical models and real-world applications, making the decision-making process more practical. Beyond mathematical improvements, this research incorporates the human aspects of displaced populations’ needs, ensuring a balance between quantitative and qualitative factors. The results demonstrate optimized shelter selection, improved prioritization, and more efficient resource allocation, ultimately reducing response times, minimizing disruptions, and preventing repeated relocations during evacuations in crisis situations.