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Rapid response to emergency needs through an efficient emergency shelter relief system is crucial to mitigate the impact of disasters in affected areas. This paper discusses the location of different types of emergency shelter, the allocation of evacuees, and the assignment of materials on demand in layers. Based on the proposed conceptual framework for emergency relief at three levels, the method provides for three recursive mechanisms: (1) the number of evacuees and materials demand forecasting, (2) shelter location and evacuee allocation, and (3) materials assignment. The paper formulates a hybrid algorithm by proposing fuzzy clustering, multi-objective and dynamic models. The objectives of the proposition are to minimize the number of shelters selected and the evacuation distance and maximize the satisfaction rate of materials demand. The robustness and performance of the proposed model are illustrated by a numerical study of an actual large-scale earthquake in China. The framework can ensure that emergency rescue operations are carried out orderly and efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthquakes have catastrophic effects on the affected population, especially in undeveloped countries or regions. Minimizing the impact and consequences of earthquakes involves many decisions and disaster relief operations that should be optimized. A critical disaster management problem is to construct shelters with reasonable capacity in the right locations, allocate evacuees, and provide relief materials to them within a reasonable period. This study proposes a bi-objective hierarchical model with two stages, namely, the temporary shelter stage and the short-term shelter stage. The proposed objectives at different stages are to minimize the evacuation time, maximize the suitability based on qualitative factors, and minimize the number of sites while considering the demand, capacity, utilization, and budget constraints. The performance evaluation of the emergency shelter was carried out by fuzzy-VIKOR, and the most ideal location of the shelter was determined through multiple standards. Emergency management organizations can benefit from the collective expertise of multiple decision-makers because the proposed method uses their knowledge to automate the location and allocation process of shelters. In the case of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, the results of using this hybrid approach provide the government with a range of options. This method can realize the trade-off between efficiency and cost in the emergency shelter location and material distribution, and realize reliable solutions in disaster emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]