Investigating supply chain barriers in humanitarian aid delivery: a case study of refugee camps in the Tigray region of Ethiopia

Abstract Humanitarian supply chains (HSCs) are critical for delivering aid to vulnerable populations, particularly in crisis-prone regions like the Tigray region of Ethiopia. This study explores the major barriers affecting HSC operations in refugee camps in the Tigray region of Ethiopia during and after the recent conflict. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research identifies key challenges, including government bureaucracy, inadequate infrastructure, funding uncertainties, and human resource limitations. Administrative approvals contributed approximately 25–40% of total delivery lead-time, particularly for cross-regional movements and imported relief items. Delays in customs clearance, travel permits, and movement authorizations resulted in average postponements of 2–6 weeks per shipment cycle, severely affecting time-sensitive supplies such as food rations and medical commodities. Respondents/organizations experiencing repeated authorization delays reported delivery reliability rates falling below 65%, compared to benchmark humanitarian targets of 85–90%. Also reported is that damaged or inaccessible road networks increased transportation lead times by an estimated 30–50% compared to pre-conflict baselines. Inadequate warehousing capacity forced humanitarian agencies to operate with buffer stock levels reduced by approximately 20–35%, increasing exposure to supply disruptions. Respondent organizations dependent on single or short-term donors experienced budget execution gaps of approximately 15–30%. Additionally, the study indicates that only about 40–55% of logistics staff in camp operations had formal training in humanitarian logistics or supply chain management. The findings underscore the need for innovative strategies to address these barriers, including enhancing inter-agency collaboration, investing in staff training, improving infrastructure, and adopting flexible funding mechanisms.