A robust optimization approach to postdisaster relief logistics planning under uncertainties

A stochastic model with bi-objective for post disaster relief logistics is proposed to decide the strategic planning on the mobilization levels of relief supplies, the initial deployment of vehicles and the transportation plans within the disaster region in a uncertain disaster environment. The robust optimization approach is introduced to cope with uncertainties and the robust counterpart of the proposed stochastic model is deduced. A lexicographic approach is utilized to convert the bi-objective robust model into two sequential single objective robust models. Numerical experiments show that the model can help post-disaster managers to determine the initial deployment of emergency resources, and the numerical results can express the tradeoff between optimization and robustness.