This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A literature review in the International Journal of Services and Standards has highlighted the potential of social media to improve humanitarian supply chain management. However, it also identifies a shortage of research into its role in the delivery of aid during emergencies.
Humanitarian supply chain management (HSCM) involves organizing the movement of essential goods, services and information to people affected by disasters. It includes purchasing, transporting and storing food, medical supplies and other relief materials. Logistics accounts for around 80% of humanitarian relief activities, making efficient coordination essential.
The researchers used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to look at dozens of research papers in this area. The analysis showed that social media has often been found to strengthen the disaster response through real-time information sharing, the mobilization of volunteers and better coordination of the disaster response. In the commercial world, supply chains are usually set up to prioritize cost reduction and minimal stockholding, while in humanitarian work, there is a need to respond to unpredictable demand as a disaster unfolds without recourse to profit margins.
Social media can, in this context, nevertheless, provide an additional means of identifying needs, communicating with affected communities and helping to direct resources. The review shows that there are obstacles yet to be overcome, including unequal access to technology, misinformation, outdated information and difficulties coordinating between humanitarian organizations. Alka Pandey et al., Empowering humanitarian supply chains: the transformative role of social media in disaster response and relief - a systematic literature review, International Journal of Services and Standards (2026).
DOI: 10.1504/ijss.2026.157371 BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile → Master's in physics with research experience.
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