A Stochastic Programming Model for Decision-Making Concerning Medical Supply Location and Allocation in Disaster Management

We propose a stochastic programming model as a solution for optimizing the problem of locating and allocating medical supplies used in disaster management. To prepare for natural disasters, we developed a stochastic optimization approach to select the storage location of medical supplies and determine their inventory levels and to allocate each type of medical supply. Our model also captures disaster elaborations and possible effects of disasters by using a new classification for major earthquake scenarios. We present a case study for our model for the preparedness phase. As a case study, we applied our model to earthquake planning in Adana, Turkey. The experimental evaluations showed that the model is robust and effective. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:747–755)