Analysis of key factors for waste management in humanitarian response: An interpretive structural modelling approach

Recent few years have witnessed a substantial growth in the frequency and magnitude of disasters. Natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes hit a community without any prior signals or warning, resulting in high levels of devastation. This further leads to generation of waste and debris that pose threats to health and safety of associated population as well as hinder the recovery process. Hence, there is a necessity of an effective and efficient management of disaster waste. The present research analyses the factors that affect the successful implementation of disaster waste management. Initially the study aims to identify certain key factors from the literature as well as through consultation from domain experts. Next, the contextual relationship between the factors is studied by using Interpretive Structural Modelling approach. The analysis helps in determining factors that play influential role in disaster waste management. It is revealed that geography & terrain and type of disaster have a direct impact on speed of debris management. Although these factors cannot be controlled, but they must be kept in mind while devising waste management plans in vulnerable areas. The analysis further reveals that donors, disaster affected population and local & regional administration can contribute significantly in successful implementation of a disaster waste management plan. The study highlights how these factors influence other elements in waste management process during humanitarian response. Understanding the significance of these factors and giving them priority while planning and implementing disaster waste management can lead to an efficient relief delivery.