Relief material supply chain network optimization via BWM-based MCDM modelling in fuzzy environment

Climate change has become a severe problem that requires global attention and has resulted in increasingly frequent occurrences of extreme weather events such as drought, floods, cyclones, and heat waves. These weather disasters are sometimes compounded by earthquakes, resulting in incalculable loss of life and property. The delivery of relief supplies is a critical part of the emergency response following a disaster. Most previous studies have considered either the selection of distribution centers or the design of a relief supply chain network; by contrast, this study attempts to optimize both problems with a proposed hybrid multiple-criteria decision-making model. Fuzzy theory was applied to model uncertainties and inconsistencies among decision-makers. First, distribution centers for relief material distribution were selected using fuzzy best–worst method and the reference ideal method; then, transportation within the supply chain network was examined using fuzzy multiple-objective decision-making. A case study for actual data collected from the Taipei region was performed. Our results show that the population density is the critical factor while selecting the distribution centers. The best distribution network identified in this study can be provided to decision-makers as a reference when drafting emergency response plans.