Logistische Optionen für eine nachhaltige Versorgung von Subsahara-Afrika

Hunger is the biggest social challenge of our time. In a world of global trade, creation of digital value and dynamic economic growth, estimated 800 million people are still suffering from hunger and undernutrition. Malnutrition affects with almost 100 million children every seventh child in developing and emerging countries. It compromises the lifelong ability to learn, to work and to lead an independent life. While large progress has been made in the fight against hunger in the past 25 years on a global level, an increasing number of people is affected by hunger in Subsaharan-Africa, also due to rapid population growth. The number of hungering people in the region increased from 176 million in 1990 to estimated 220 million people in 2015.
The situation is a result of several negative developments in different areas. The problem is complex and requires a multidimensional approach. However, an essential parameter is the configuration of infrastructures. The economic and social challenges in Africa are not least due to insufficient logistics systems. In addition to inadequate conditions of physical transport infrastructures, the institutional framework is in particular creating obstacles to functioning logistics. African supply chains are often characterised by delayed, manual processes and an exaggerated amount of bureaucracy. Moreover, intangible infrastructures are challenging. The offer in the field of education and training in logistics is insufficient; also the importance of logistics for a sustainable supply is not sufficiently recognized.
Based on the findings of the infrastructural analyses, several adjusting keys to achieve sustainable development of the humanitarian situation in sub-Saharan Africa are identified within the present work. Logistics and logistics relevant topics are the central element of the work. However, logistics alone cannot radically improve the situation, therefore, further solutions that result from the drivers of the overall development, are discussed. The key to a substantial reduction of global hunger problems lies in the affected countries themselves. Local solutions that enhance the local population to help themselves should therefore be considered as a priority in terms of a sustainable development.