Strengthening Interoperability and Collaboration in UN Humanitarian Supply Chains

Funded by HELP Logistics, this project investigates how interoperability across United Nations supply chains can be strengthened to improve coordination, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in humanitarian operations. The study examines why collaboration progresses in some supply chain areas but remains limited in others, and identifies the organizational, operational, and governance-related factors that shape inter-agency cooperation. Based on a review of major UN collaboration initiatives and interviews with senior supply chain leaders across the humanitarian sector, the project highlights both the barriers to and enablers of closer collaboration. It also identifies data, processes, and procurement as areas with particularly strong potential for improving interoperability. In doing so, the project provides practical and evidence-based recommendations for strengthening existing collaboration mechanisms across UN supply chains.